Guyana Times Thursday November 28, 2019

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

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Parent attacks, beats teacher in front of class Issue No. 4121

thursday, november 28, 2019

Page 7

6-year-old dies in Berbice accident …mother, others injured

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana P14 Goldfields' stock market slump halted … as new CEO appointed

Companies building Essequibo shore base promise jobs for Guyanese P9

Page 15

Dead: Nifram Nezamodeen

Uncollected ID cards not the issue – GECOM Commissioner finally admits

…says real issue is verifying status of non-responsive voters P3

AK-47 in latrine

Wanted P10 bulletin issued for Sophia man

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa shares a photo with persons displaying his country’s Constitution at India Constitution Day and Citizens' Duties Campaign on Tuesday at the Indian Cultural Centre, Bel Air, Georgetown

“Students fight, it’s nothing unusual”– Education Minister Page 13

…as male student beats female colleague

Transgender P3 people still facing challenges …1 year after historic CCJ ruling on cross-dressing

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news

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thursday, november 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 28 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Friday, November 29 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 28 – 05:15h – 06:45h and Friday, November 29 – 05:50h – 07:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy conditions with thundery showers are expected throughout the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to North NorthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 05:18h and 17:27h reaching maximum heights of 2.64 metres and 2.76 metres.

Uncollected ID cards not the issue – GECOM Commissioner finally admits

…says real issue is verifying status of non-responsive voters

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espite their names being published and letters being sent, less than two per cent of persons who were given a deadline to collect their identification cards actually turned up. According to a Guyana Elections Commissioner, whether they have an ID card to vote or not is a non-issue.

This is according to Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander on Tuesday after a statutory meeting.

Alexander admitted that whether persons have identification cards to vote or not is not the issue.

Indeed, there is noth-

one dies overseas, to take them off the list. Those cards will not be collected.

We have no mechanism, even locally, if people die.

They don’t register the death and take the name off”.

Initially, GECOM had announced that approximately 20,000 persons who did not collect ID cards over the past few years would be prevented from voting. After much criticism from sections of society, however, this decision was changed in favour of these persons being allowed to vote. It was announced, though, that these persons would be

Low Tide: 11:02h and 23:29h reaching minimum heights of 0.61 metre and 0.47 metre.

A regional breakdown of uncollected ID cards

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ing in Guyana’s laws that prohibit someone from voting if they do not have an ID card. Despite this, however, GECOM was willing, at one point, to exclude such persons from voting.

Alexander noted that the issue is whether they are alive or not and whether there’s a chance their names will be used for fraudulent purposes.

“I think from observation, we don’t have that large number of people who don’t use ID cards.

Whether or not they’ve (voted without ID cards) in the past, we’ve made an effort to say to these people, come and uplift your cards”.

“Non-response, one has to take it as a problem.

Not merely that someone doesn’t want to uplift their ID card. We’ve written to them and published their names. We’re trying to determine these peoples’ existence, it’s not the ID card that’s the issue”.

According to Alexander, there is a possibility that these persons are dead or overseas and unable to vote. The Commissioner claimed that there is littleto-no mechanism to take deceased voters off the voters’ list.

“Our information is that there are over 300 persons who came forward…we have no mechanism to determine if some-

placed on a separate list.

This decision has been criticised by the Opposition, with GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj explaining that in the past, presiding officers using their discretion have

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

prohibited persons from voting.

“We have had instances where people were given tendered ballots, all kind of nonsense happening on election day, and it’s all chalked up to nervousness, mistake. But if there’s a deliberate ploy come election day to disenfranchise those persons, what recourse will be available to them after election day when their franchise would have been snatched away?”

“I have a client, who has made contact with me, who is a person of public notoriety in Guyana. They have given a series of reasons for why they were prevented from collecting their ID card in the past.

And a lot of it has to do with difficulties they en-

countered in their interactions with GECOM itself. That person is out of Guyana, as a student, and are unable to respond to the notice or collect their ID card”.

Meanwhile, Alexander revealed that GECOM is presently addressing other issues such as a shortage of staff for key positions. It is understood that these posts had included a Logistics Manager.

Other positions that were open were for an Assistant Chief Elections Officer and a Research Officer.

In addition, GECOM needed someone with responsibility for civic and voter education.

One proposal that was put forward at the time was for temporary staff to be hired.

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thursday, november 28, 2019

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Govt’s handling of dismissal of workers

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arlier this month, Troy Resources sent home some four hundred workers as the mining company reels seemingly from cash flowrelated problems. It’s never easy under any circumstance when workers are fired since breadwinners are plunged into uncertainty and left pondering how to provide for their families.

The APNU/AFC Government, through the designated Minister, expressed surprised over the company’s move and noted how distressed it was that hundreds of workers are losing their jobs just weeks before the holiday season. However, the Leader of the Opposition claimed that the Government knew of the company’s financial situation and that the move to fire the workers was in the making.

What was very noticeable of this incident was the swiftness in which the Government responded and noted its concern over the plight the workers now face. While that is commendable, it should be noted that the company’s operations were ordered closed following a cease order issued by the Government. The closure was to facilitate a thorough investigation following the collapse of a mining pit that led to the death of a miner.

While the circumstances that led to the death must be investigated, the total shutdown of the operations seemingly pushed an already cashstrapped company over the edge. That said, this latest firing has added to the tally, hundreds of additional workers who have lost their jobs under the APNU/AFC Government.

What is also noticeable, is that when the Government fired some two thousand Indigenous workers and caused thousands of sugar workers to be jobless after callously closing a number of estates, the sentiment of being “distressed” was not expressed. There was even no utterance of being “surprised” at the mass firing and the social impact that unnecessarily befell those workers and their families over time.

The sugar industry is said to benefit, directly and indirectly, over one hundred thousand Guyanese. It is believed that close to a quarter of that figure was affected following the closure of the estates almost immediately after the APNU/AFC took office in May 2015.

Surely, the Government must have known that its actions would have led to thousands in the sugar belt being plunged into financial difficulties, especially after it failed to offer meaningful alternative employment. How then, was it not distressed over the plight it imposed upon those workers?

Surely, it could not have been surprised since, in the first place, its own action led to the workers losing their jobs.

To make matters worse, the sugar workers were further humiliated when they could not receive their entitled severance pay. Those workers had to seek the intervention of the court to fight for what was rightfully theirs. That meant workers who were deprived of their jobs and, therefore, unable to provide for their families, had to find the resources to file a court case. Even if the services were free, it meant the workers were further traumatised having being forced the engage the legal system and, in the process, suffered from a lack of benefit from that expected sum.

That said, reports indicate that the fired workers at Troy Resources have received their severance package. The company must be commended for swiftly making those payments despite its financial difficulties. What it shows, is a willingness on the company’s part to meeting legal obligations in a timely manner. That’s something the Government failed to do with regard to the fired sugar workers.

At one point, the Government reportedly stated that it did not have the financial resources to pay the severance to the sugar workers. That raises questions over the Government engaging itself in such a massive undertaking without catering for all the responsibilities that had to be met.

The Leader of the Opposition alluded to incompetence, demonstrated more recently over the Troy Resources scenario.

He stated that the Government knew the company was experiencing financial difficulties and posited if it didn’t know that, it’s incompetent.

He also noted that the Government cannot deal with any situation to preserve jobs. While the Government would try and dismiss such claims by saying that the Opposition Leader is merely spouting routine political rhetoric, the facts cannot be denied.

The Government has failed to preserve the jobs of the two thousand Indigenous workers and thousands of sugar workers. In addition, its punitive fiscal policies, that saw the implementation of some two hundred new tax measures, not only led to a constriction of a once booming economy but to the closure of many private businesses, thereby, rendering hundreds of other workers jobless.

Its alleged discriminatory practice, reportedly driven by a political vendetta that saw the dismissal of many competent and professional public servants. Seemingly, not to relent, allegedly, a hint has been given that some fifteen thousand public servants may possible lose their jobs next year.

These actions make it extremely difficult to dismiss the assertion that the Government is incompetent and hence, incapable to preserve the jobs of Guyanese workers. In the end, the workers are made to pay the price for that incompetence; a price that includes suffering, humiliation and uncertainty. Clearly, the promise of change seems wrapped in deceit.

Work begins on decorating the giant Christmas tree at Rahaman’s Park, Houston, Georgetown - one of the highlights of the festive season in Guyana

GAWU will not be daunted by spurious attacks: A response to the Eyewitness

Dear Editor, Our Union was taken aback by what we saw as an unsubstantiated attack on our organisation. The Eyewitness column which appeared in the November 25 Guyana Times took what we consider as an unnecessary and clearly despicable swipe at the GAWU, apparently for our disclosure of a meeting we had with the GuySuCo on November 20, 2019.

We, at the outset, must tell the Eyewitness, whomever he, she or they are, that as a responsible organisation, we are duty-bound to inform our members, through appropriate means, of our engagements with employers. It would be an indictment on us should we have important information and hold it close to our chest.

Moreover, we believe too, the public should be aware of the plans of the GuySuCo, recognising that it is owned by the people of Guyana.

Certainly, the GAWU, the sugar workers and many Guyanese are interested in seeing the sugar industry coming out of the troubled times it has found itself in. Apparently, in the Eyewitness’ mind, we should remain deaf and mute.

We wish to assure, nevertheless, that such attributes are not in our character and we have expressed, without fear or favour, our views on many matters in recent times. Some of those sentiments were published in the Eyewitness’ media outlet. In

fact, on the same day of the column, our Union’s statement on the state of sugar production received prominence in the newspaper.

We are at a loss to see where we, using the columnist’s phrase, “big up GuySuCo”. Our statement provided an account of the deliberations between our Union and the sugar company. At no time did we praise the company.

The Eyewitness, if he, she or they, were following our public statements, would recognise that we have been seeking, for quite a long time, to engage the GuySuCo regarding its plans. In fact, in the opening sentences of our statement, we made that very point. Also, if the columnist had carefully read our statement, he, she or they, would have noticed that we asked GuySuCo for a copy of its plan to fully assess what it proposes to do.

We did not swallow, hook, line and sinker all the sugar company disclosed, but rather, we sought to independently consider what the Corporation has in mind.

We should add some of the initiatives identified by GuySuCo were also put forward by our Union to safeguard the industry during our engagements with the Government. We cannot endorse those suggestions conveniently.

Our Union is criticised for apparently not shutting down the streets in Georgetown to protest the

closure of estates, though the columnist acknowledges that our organisation organised protests and public activities throughout the sugar belt. We are at a loss to see how this would have made a meaningful difference. The Government was adamant in the closure of the estates and refused to listen to the genuine concerns of many persons and organisations.

That aside, since then, we have seen many protests, on different matters, taking place in the city, none of which we recalled led to a shutdown. Additionally, the issues championed by those protesters hardly impacted on the Administration’s posture or decision-making. We wonder why we are being singled out by the Eyewitness.

We are criticised for apparently not saying anything regarding the assistance of the State to the displaced sugar workers. This, for us, is most funny. We have consistently championed this issue through several means.

Ultimately, we are not in the decision-making seat but that has not daunted our calls. We have come to learn that time will ultimately be the final arbiter.

People tend not to forget, though, who perpetuate and initiate injustices against them. We are sure that those in the sugar belt, like many Guyanese, will decisively make their views known when they have the opportunity. Regarding the

transfer of SILWFC potable water responsibilities to GWI, it appears that the Eyewitness wasn’t aware that this responsibility has been transferred for more than a decade now.

While our Union opposed the transfer, we represented to SILWFC the provision of a water subsidy for sugar workers. That subsidy is granted once a worker submits the relevant information. Over the years, we should add, we have represented that the subsidy be increased to offset the costs incurred by the workers.

The Eyewitness, it seems, read our statement with an unhinged mindset. A careful examination would see that our Union did not mention plantation white sugar, we said explicitly white sugar. We said so against the background that GuySuCo told us that it would be producing white and not plantation white sugar. We understand the former is of a higher quality than the latter. Of course, this would be cleared up if GuySuCo shares with us the requested information.

The columnist also questions whether Caricom would be able to defend their decision to implement the CET on extra-regional refined sugar imports.

We again are confused about why the Eyewitness would also not be supportive of the decision to protect Indigenous industries. continued on page 5

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Regional and Vice Chairpersons politically victimised Dear Editor, The destruction of Regional governance by the APNU/AFC Administration is a calculated plan to cast the blames of the Government’s incompetence and mismanagement on the PPP/C-controlled local Government organs.

The Ministry of Communities, on their website, states that “the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is the supreme local government organ in each region, with the overall management and administration of the Region and the coordination

of activities of all the local democratic organs within its boundaries”.

But unfortunately, despite this statement, Bulkan and his cabal are disrespecting and disregarding the RDC’S decisions, doing things that are completely opposite. The Regional Executive Officer (REO) is operating with instructions from Bulkan and Congress Place using taxpayers’ funds on political activities and political activism, disregarding programme work that would benefit the residents of these regions.

This APNU/AFC coa-

lition government is fearful and very sceptical of strengthening the regional governance system because control or dependency by the RDC on central government will be lost. So the Minister of Communities is using his political expertise to undermine all the PPP/C-controlled RDCs using REOs, political advisers to the Ministers, and political victimisation to destroy the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

I was made to understand that even the Laws of Guyana are not being respected. The Regional

Chairperson and Vice Chairperson were stripped of their salaries and given stipends instead, technically, Bulkan has changed their full-time job status to a part-time one— which is contrary to the laws.

Chapter 28:09 section 21, (7) “Where the Chairman or Vice-Chairman is a full-time officer of the council and is the holder of, or is acting in, any office of emolument in a civil capacity in the service of the Government of Guyana or of any other Commonwealth territory, he shall, unless he is granted leave of absence from

his office in such service by the authority competent to grant such leave for the period for which he functions as such full-time officer of the council, resign from the office in such service before he takes the oath prescribed for his office as Chairman or Vice-Chairman under section 25,” this section clearly indicates that these persons are full-time officers of the RDC’s and should be treated in accordance of the laws but because the PPP/C won seven out of ten regions the Regional Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are being politically victimised,

in order not to function efficiently.

A P N U / A F C Government’s attacks on the salaries and benefits of these elected officials are a clear indication that the Government is undermining the efficiency of Regional governance. It can be concluded that despite the noises about local government, Granger and Bulkan are the masterminds for the destruction of Regional and local governance.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

Is Retired Justice Claudette Singh facilitating a fraudulent process?

Dear Editor, It is election time again; a period when the people of this country will have to go to the polls to determine who governs them. It is also a time of political jostling among the political parties as to who is best suited for the seat of government for the next 5

years. I am talking about that crucial time when preparations should have been well in place at our electoral body GECOM for the hosting of general elections— but is it?

And that’s my point; preparations at our electoral body are far from being in readiness for an election. What we are en-

countering at GECOM is a deliberate bungling of information with the sole aim to create confusion.

In that confusion, we now know for sure is that elections may very well be further delayed.

The latest reports in this ongoing saga are that the Chairwoman, together with her

Government-appointed Commissioners, want to surreptitiously fuse the illegal and inconclusive House-to-House Registration on to the national database of registrants.

This cannot be allowed to take place because that House-toHouse Registration was

GAWU will not be daunted...

Moreover, all the studies on white sugar in Guyana going back to the late 1990s and early 2000s had always predicated a refinery’s success on CET protection.

It is not something that is amiss but rather is a practice regularly embraced by countries and groupings globally.

The unhinged mannerisms of the Eyewitness are further exposed when the columnist wrongly contends that the sugar bond monies cannot be used for operational expenditure. Some amount of the disbursements released so far

were used to support the sugar company’s operational expenditure and the halt put in place by the banks were removed months ago.

A cursory glance of news on the matter would confirm this.

Regarding the issue of funding, more holistically, our Union did not ignore this obvious elephant in the room. On this the GuySuCo, said that the bond proceeds were also borrowed to finance the white sugar plant and the co-generations plants as well. The sugar corporation said it was optimistic that the funding would soon be

released. On this matter, we did wish them luck.

We want to tell the Eyewitness that the venom, he, she or they, apparently has for our Union will not cause us to change our stance.

We are committed to a successful sugar industry; a feat we do not believe is out of reach. We will continue to express without hesitation our viewpoints on matters, as we have been doing all the time. Our membership and for those who know us, know of how much and how hard we work in the interest of not only GAWU mem-

from page 4

bers but all workers of Guyana.

We genuinely believe that the workers of our country, contrary to statements by the ruling party, have been left back and very far back for that matter. The GAWU is committed, within its means and ability, to continue to uphold and champion the calls of the working-class who are a decisive and significant bloc in our country, as in all countries.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Editor’s note: For context, we append the Eyewitness’ comment that earned GAWU’s ire and he, she or their comment that “GAWU does not seem to appreciate that at no time GuySuCo or COTED spoke about production of “white sugar” but “plantation white”, a completely different process. Passing strange for a sugar union!”

The cart… …bearing gifts?

The old saw about what’s news, advises that it ain’t “dog bites man” – that’s expected. But if “man bites dog”, then you’ve got yourself a headline!! Well, “trade union flays company” isn’t news…that happens every day of the week.

Just listen (if you can bear it!) to the tirades of Lincoln Lewis against RUSAL and Troy!! But when “Trade Union shills for company”, you know something ain’t right and needs to be exposed.

And that’s exactly what GAWU - the union that’s been sponging off sugar workers’ sweat for the last fifty odd (very odd!) years did when they issued a long-winded release about

GuySuCo issuing bids to build a plant to produce “55,000 tons white sugar annually”!! What the hell’s going on?? Here’s a union with the largest membership in the country. It accepted Guysuco/ Government’s closure of 4 sugar estates and throwing 5000 members (not to mention another 2000 from cane farmers) into the streets without shutting down the Georgetown with protests – and now bigs up GuySuCo??

You say GAWU protested in front of the closed estates, dear reader?? Seeing that in print, your Eyewitness hopes you see the ridiculousness of those “protests”! First of all, with the estates closed, who was taking them on??

Certainly not Guysuco’s

managers who are in Ogle, or the government which is in GTown!! If a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one heard it did it fall?? Did GAWU see the actions of bauxite workers when they were asked to pay a fraction of their electricity rates?? Did GAWU even consider protesting for the fired sugar workers’ electricity tariffs be waived until they found new employment??

Hell!

They didn’t even utter a word when water infrastructure built with SILWF funds to give them free water, were handed over to GWI. Which then started charging them for water!!

What’s the point of GAWU taking time to mention that Guysuco’s Chairman “felt that workers need better remunera-

tion”, when workers’ wages have been frozen since 2015, when the PNC took office?? The man was just shedding crocodile’s tears!! Didn’t the Finance Minister Jordan say it was Guysuco’s board – headed by the Chairman – that made decisions on wages??

Back in the day, not long after the first sugar workers – the MPCA – was founded, it was soon discovered that some top union officials were being paid off by the Sugar Producers. And workers were again being screwed royally: that’s why GAWU was founded. Has history now come a full circle??

Once again, sugar workers are being shafted because their leaders are either cowardly or have been seduced by filthy lucre.

illegal in the first instance and at best, inconclusive and flawed.

Yet, this Retired Judge is hell-bent on merging that flawed data into the NRR. They are having untold problems trying to facilitate this process, for the simple reason that an illegal process cannot be rectified using legitimate means.

As a former Judge, Claudette Singh knows this very well. So, pretending that she does not know what is going on will only heap shame and disgrace unto her name. She will only serve to bring down the

name of the legal profession into disrepute.

She would not only be putting her reputation on the line locally but on an international scale also; the world is watching the goings-on in Guyana. What has to be done, must be done fairly and in a legal and above-board manner. We call on the Chairwoman to stop acting in an impartial manner and get on with the business of being in readiness for a free and fair election process.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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Foundation

Science says the most successful kids Top 10 tips have parents who do these 5 things for taking exams Part 2 …a handful of recent studies indicate the important things which parents should focus on

W

hile becoming a parent may be easy for many people, doing a stellar job in the role often is not.

Here's what the parents of the most successful kids do differently, according to a handful of recent studies.

They limit screen time

You probably understand that letting your child sit in front of a screen for hours at a time isn't good for his or her development and health. But in reality, policing this aspect of life is difficult considering the ubiquity of digital entertainment and the reality of how young people use social media to relate with one another. But it's definitely a battle worth fighting if you consider a study which found that kids whose screen time exceeded limits set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually have less functional brains. Researchers tested the language and literacy skills of 47 preschoolers between ages three and five and conducted imaging on their brains. The kids who had higher levels of screen-based media use had lower microstructural integrity of white matter tracts.

They don't spank

The AAP recently issued its most strongly worded policy statement on this topic. According to a bunch of studies conducted in recent years, corporal punishment has multiple detrimental effects on kids. It can lead to aggressive and defiant behaviour, increases the risk of mental health disorders and cognition problems, and can negatively affect the parent-child relationship. And why one might wonder why the AAP would even have to mention this, spanking tots younger than 18 months increases the likelihood they get physically injured.

They're warm and accepting

This is especially true for mothers. Researchers at the University at Buffalo in New York studied more than 140 teenagers and found that those who had warm and accepting mothers were less likely to be in an abusive relationship later in life. The teens filled out a series of surveys in eighth grade and later in high school regarding their exposure to conflict between their parents, what their relationship was like with their mothers, and any dating violence which they had experienced.

"Children form internal working models about themselves and others based on the quality of their relationship with their parents," lead investigator Jennifer Livingston said in a statement. "If the primary caretaker is abusive or inconsistent, children learn to view themselves as unlovable and others as hostile and untrustworthy. But positive parenting behaviours characterised by acceptance and warmth help children form positive internal working models of themselves as lovable and worthy of respect."

They make sure kids get enough sleep

Researchers analysed survey responses from parents

and caregivers of 49,050 children aged 6 to 17 regarding how many hours of sleep on average a child in their household gets. According to the AAP, sufficient sleep means getting at least 9 hours on an average weeknight for children aged 6 to 12 years and at least 8 hours on an average weeknight for teens 13 to 17. It turns out that about a third of schoolchildren don't get enough sleep on weeknights. While it might not strike you as the worst thing in the world, it's another thing which the best parents take seriously. Kids who don't sleep enough are less likely to show interest in learning new things, care about doing well in school, work to finish the things they start, do all their homework and stay calm when faced with a challenge.

They play with their kids

Oxytocin is a critical hormone when it comes to mental health because it's involved in social interaction, bonding and relating to others. It's activated when people experience eye contact, empathy or pleasant touch. But how parents – again, especially mothers – interact with their babies actually affects the development of their children's oxytocin systems. Researchers studied a session of free play between mothers and their five-month-olds and collected saliva samples from the parent and child during the visit and also a year later. They found that the children whose mothers were highly engaged in the play session had experienced "epigenetic changes" in their DNA. Essentially, they had increased expression of the oxytocin receptor gene, meaning they were better able to experience the positive effects of the hormone. (inc.com)

Eat a nutritious breakfast Studies have found that students who skip breakfast experience a 20-40 per cent reduction in cognition (ie concentration, memory and alertness). You want to eat a nutritious breakfast to feel fuller for longer, stabilise your mood and give you plenty of energy for the day.

Here are some healthy breakfast ideas: Raw muesli or porridge with nuts and chopped fruit Wholegrain toast with a variety of toppings (baked beans, tomatoes, avocado, etc) and a piece of fruit An omelette made with added vegetables (onion, spinach, tomato, and mushrooms, etc) A smoothie Avoid drinking caffeine (energy drinks, coke and coffee, etc) Caffeine is a stimulant.

It gives you a rush and makes you feel good in the short-term, but eventually it wears off and leaves you feeling cranky and wanting more.

It’s also a diuretic, so it makes you urinate, which means you lose water, become thirsty and want to drink more.

Studies have found that when we have a cup of coffee or a can of coke, we are actually inducing a state of stress. Caffeine drives the adrenal glands to produce stress hormones that in turn produce the fight or flight response.

Why not consider gradually replacing your caffeinated beverages with good old, simple water?

You can jazz it up with some infused fruit or use a Soda Stream to carbonate it.

Go straight home after the exam How many times have

you stayed back after an exam to talk to your friends about what you put for each question? How many times have you felt anxious after doing so?

It can certainly be reassuring to know that you wrote the same answer as your friends. But if you find out that you wrote something different and you have another four or five exams to take, this may throw you off your game.

The exam is over.

There’s nothing much you can do about it, so move on and focus on studying for the next one.

Take a few deep breaths when you get stuck If you come across a question that you’re not sure how to answer in the exam, stop for a moment and take a few deep breathes (in for the count of 3 and out for the count of 3). If you are not sure how to answer it there and then, move on to another question.

The worst thing you can do is start to panic, because as they say “Stress makes you stupid”. You won’t be able to think clearly.

Dealing with writer’s cramp/elbow I’m sure many of us are familiar with writer’s cramp/elbow. This can be due to holding your pen too tight. Loosen your grip or get a pen that you won’t have to press down so hard on the paper.

The reality is, even with a good pen, your elbow will start to hurt at some point if you’re taking a three-hour exam. When it does hurt, have a rest for a few moments (yes, you have time to do this!) and stretch it out on your desk.

(Excerpt from learningfundamentals.com)

NEWS

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thursday, november 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Parent attacks, beats Family of dead Police Officer teacher in front of class still in shock – father A “I Grade One teacher attached to the Winfer Gardens Primary School is now nursing injuries after she was attacked and beaten on Wednesday morning in her classroom by a parent.

Based on information received, the teacher, Yolanda Jackson, was visited by the parent within the confines of the school to address an issue concerning her child who was reportedly beaten by the said teacher.

An eyewitness indicated that a verbal confrontation ensued between the teacher and the woman, whose child is a pupil in her class. This, however, led to a physical attack in the presence of other pupils.

Other teachers and students who witnessed the incident detailed that Jackson was “dragged onto the floor”, “kicked”, “punched” and “slammed” by the lone parent and the entire confrontation lasted several minutes.

While the injuries were not critical, Jackson was bleeding from the head with “cuts and bruises” about her body. A video made just after the attack captured one of the students explaining, “She beat teacher Jackson and her head was bleeding”.

A few hours after, a report was filed with the Police as the Education Ministry was also made aware of the matter at hand.

When Guyana Times visited the school later in the day, the Head-Teacher could not comment on the matter, stating that they were not given clearance from the Ministry to divulge the details.

However, teachers stood in disbelief, and

The student’s injuries which were allegedly caused by the teacher

seemingly concerned, about their colleague.

While the motive was not clearly determined, it is alleged that the child was recently beaten severely at the hands of the teacher. Photos surfacing on social media showed the five-year-old’s swollen fingers and marks across the upper arm.

Winfer Gardens Primary School where the incident took place

Nevertheless, educators at the institution clearly expressed that “violence is not the answer”.

In the past year, there have been violent attacks involving students, teachers and now, parents. Last December, a school teacher had to seek medical attention after she was attacked and beaten by a student of the Number 8 Secondary School on the West Coast of Berbice.

The injured woman, Gangadin SebaratIsaacs, acting Head Teacher of the Number Five Primary School, was reportedly heading home when the incident occurred. She was punched to the face several times, resulting in swelling and other injuries.

Meanwhile, another fifth form student of the Number 8 Secondary School had previously attacked a teacher. That teacher had Aaround the school compound before two male teachers came to her rescue.

While teachers are being attacked, several students within the past two months have come forward about violence at their schools – an institution which is supposed to be considered a safe place.

Most recently, six-year-old Fawaz Asgar was left traumatised after a fellow schoolmate slashed his hand with a broken glass bottle at the Mon Repos Primary School, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on November 13.

Just a few days prior, eight-year-old Richard Boodram was reportedly beaten by five of his classmates, also at the Mon Repos Primary School.

The child was reportedly struck to his head with a bottle and a piece of wood and had to be hospitalised for several days.

In October 2019, a female student attached to a school in Berbice was badly beaten and her hijab ripped off by other students.

In March 2019, a student attached to the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), also in Berbice, was viciously attacked by a group of other students, who were beating him with a belt. (Rupa Seenaraine)

t is not easy; everybody is probably in a state of shock cause we all know that we all will die sometime but it was so unexpected. It happened in the prime of his youth”. These were the words of Demington Eastman, father of the nowdead Senior Superintendent of Police, Brian Eastman, during a telephone interview with Guyana Times .

The distraught father stated that the accident has had a devastating effect on the family as they try to come to grips with reality.

The young policeman was killed in a vehicular accident hours after his 99-year-old grandmother had passed.

Both of them were very close to each other.

Dillon DeRamos

afterwards he received numerous telephone calls from friends and family.

“Well you know how it goes these days with social media, it was on social media and then people started calling us left, right centre, and that is how we got the news,” he explained.

The mangled car following the accident

However, the older Eastman related that he heard of his son’s demise via social media and was it

The aggrieved father noted that the family will now have to prepare for two funerals.

Dead cop: Brian Eastman

Brian Eastman and his friend Dillon DeRamos, proprietor of Kosmos Grill and Restaurant, were killed after the vehicle in which they were travelling turned turtle in the vicinity of the Rupert Craig Highway, Georgetown.

According to reports, DeRamos, the driver of PTT 6775, reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the concrete fence of Yokohoma Trading.

DeRamos reportedly died on the spot while Eastman was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

It was reported that Eastman was at work earlier in the day but left for home to attend to some business with respect to his grandmother’s death. However, he was later picked up by DeRamos to “cool off” his mind.

After some time, they left DeRamos’ business place and were heading to the city when tragedy struck.

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3 charged for gun, ammo possession

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hree men were charged for the illegal possession of guns and ammunition when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Esan Gibson, 18, of Brutus Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, along with Gregory Boyce, 31, and Keanu Heyliger, 20, of Remus Street, Agricola appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty and denied the charges.

The Police stated that on November 21, 2019 at Brutus Street, Gibson had in his possession one .38 pistol and three

live matching rounds, but he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

It was alleged that on November 21, 2019 at Agricola, Boyce had in his possession one .32 pistol and 23 matching rounds when he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

It was further alleged that Hellinger had in his possession one .32 Taurus revolver when he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

Meanwhile, Emma Harvey, 42, of Brutus Street, was charged with obstructing Police

Constable Godwyn Thomas, who was acting in the execution of his duties, on November 21, 2019 at the same location.

The four defendants were represented by Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat, who asked for bail to be granted to his clients. He told the court that the firearms were not found in his clients’ possession.

Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that on the day in question, Police, acting on information, carried out a raid in Agricola during which the suspects were seen attempting to flee.

They were appre-

hended and it was during a search on their person that the guns and ammunition were discovered. They were told of the offence, questioned, and subsequently charged.

In addition, the court was told Harvey obstructed the officer from performing his duty during the arrest.

The Prosecutor contended that bail should not be granted to the defendants, citing the seriousness of the charges.

As such, the men were remanded to prison until December 4, 2019 while the woman was released on $30,000 bail.

Diamond resident remanded on attempted murder charge

F

eraz Narine was on Monday last remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 26-year-old mechanic, of Lot 246 Section C, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on November 21, 2019 at

Diamond, he wounded Teon Archer with intent to murder him.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that on the day in question, Narine and the victim had a physical confrontation. It was during this altercation that the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim to his lower left abdomen.

The court further

heard that the injured man was picked up and rushed to the Diamond hospital, but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital owing to the severity of his injuries.

The Prosecutor added that the victim was in a critical state.

Narine was remanded to prison and was slated to make his next court appearance on December 10, 2019.

Elderly man slapped with gun possession charge

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ighty-year-old Carl Vanrossum, a trader of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was remanded to prison on Wednesday

by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a gun-related charge.

Vanrossum denied the charge which stated that on November 25, 2019 at South Road, Georgetown, he had in his possession one .38 revolver when he was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at the time.

Vanrossum was represented by Attorney-atLaw Stanley Moore, who contended that his client was taking the gun to the police station after he found it in a pile of garbage, but, instead, he was arrested and charged.

Facts presented by the prosecution stated that on the day in question, Police ranks received information that a man was walking along South Road with a gun in a plastic bag.

The court heard that several Police Officers went to the location and saw the defendant. The ranks then carried out a search on him and it was then the gun was found wrapped in a plastic bag.

Vanrossum was remanded to prison and his next court appearance was scheduled for December 11, 2019.

Behind the scenes…

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…in Granger’s PNC ow that we’re slowly inching towards elections (sometime in 2020!), your Eyewitness feels we gotta look closer at the two horses in the race. And believe him…if the best that all those parties sprouting like Jumbie Umbrellas can do is throw up some carthorses, they ain’t going nowhere in a race for thoroughbreds!! So, we’ll continue looking a tad closer at David Granger, since as the incumbent, he’s the man to beat.

He was handpicked by Corbin for the PNC leadership when the latter realised the thug image he’d earned over four decades wasn’t going to be washed away by a law degree, especially with a PNC going nowhere with its own albatross.

A radical makeover was needed – and, like with all makeovers, it all had to be with appearances. Imitating the PPP’s “Civic” with its own “Reform” had changed zilch in the public’s mind. The “PNC” literally loomed too large in the PNCR! Their brain trust came up with a two-pronged move – bring in someone with a squeaky-clean image they could trust but wasn’t openly PNC. And dump the PNC name on its electoral vehicle. Granger they could trust.

When Burnham was erecting his dictatorship, policeman’s son Granger was one of the first to be sent away to become the core of the Army that was going to be his ace in the hole in the divided society. Unlike the GPF, there was no “tradition” to confuse recruits like Granger – he was a Burnhamite from the word go!

His most crucial appointments were first, to be the propaganda chief for Burnham’s line in the army as the head of SPEC. Next was his appointment to head the army when it was being infiltrated by Rodney in 1979. As a Lt Col, he was catapulted over several seniors, who were let out to farm. While no evidence had tied him – as of now – to the assassination of Rodney by a member of the GDF, it’s quite improbable he wouldn’t have been briefed about the operation.

When Hoyte cleared out the Burnhamites after he suddenly became President on Burnham’s death in 1985, he quickly moved out Granger when he appointed Joe Singh as the new army head. Granger became an “advisor” whose advice was never sought!! Hoyte didn’t want Granger staging a coup after he saw all of Burnham’s initiatives – all supported by Granger – were rolled back.

There was no love lost between Granger and Hoyte.

But Granger’s loyalty to Burnham and the PNC never dimmed – and Burnhamite insiders could always count on his support.

Corbin would’ve known him from the early days when YSM members routinely received army training.

As Granger confessed, he’s always been PNC!! …there’s Burnham’s ideology Just as Burnham did after he was ensconced into office by the western powers in 1964, Granger has kept his socialist beliefs hidden since 2015. But there’s no way this man could vow to fulfil Burnham’s legacy, without its foundational ideological base. Granger thinks he’s slick because he doesn’t use the “S” word!! But to paraphrase the Bard, a turd by any other name would smell as stink!!

Even though socialist policies have ultimately failed in every country they’ve been tried, Granger has already signalled he’s not deterred. As Burnham did to “make the small man the real man”, Granger has touted “co-ops” as the vehicle for the $2.6Billion CDC-funded agri-project behind the villages of Ithaca, Buxton, BV and Mocha.

Then there’s his anti-big-business stance, while he touts plantain chips production!! He opposes house lots distribution and wants to deliver completed homes to the poor, forgetting that the incentive to increase savings is destroyed! Etc, etc.

Guyanese youths who haven’t experienced the Burnhamite disaster should look at Venezuela!! …with Granger’s failed premises Burnham and Granger’s folly is to believe their idée fixe on free “education” will develop Guyana. Like boasting about 500 students graduating from the School of Social Sciences.

And ignoring it’s just a handful from Engineering and Technology!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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Companies building Essequibo shore base promise jobs for Guyanese

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nterOil Guyana Incorporated (IOG), the company that entered a joint venture with Mines Services Limited to construct a shore base facility to cater for the oil sector on the West Bank of Essequibo, has assured that it will ensure local content development.

This comes even as debate rages over foreign companies investing in the oil sector but doing very little to help locals.

According to IOG, it intends to work with stakeholders involved in the oil sector to give back to the community.

“In support of the local content development initiatives, InterOil Guyana Inc and ISIKA Shore Base Inc are fully committed to working with international and domestic companies in maximising local content in their operations in a sustainable manner, through the use of Guyanese human resources, materials, equipment and services,” InterOil said.

According to the company, all activities at the ISIKA Shore Base will be centred on people, quality, health, safety and international environment standards. It added that the shore base will provide great opportunities for Guyanese companies to participate in oil and gas local content-related activities, generating much-needed employment as well as skills development and technology transfer.

Construction, according to the company, will begin in the

al Financial Advisory and Investment Bank, has been appointed by InterOil Guyana Inc as the Financial Advisor to structure the financing of the ISIKA Shore Base.

Guyana already has a shore base facility at Houston which services ExxonMobil for its Stabroek operations

next few months and phase one of the project is expected to be completed by late 2020.

Phase one of the shore base, according to the company, is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2021. IOG also noted that the tendering process for Civil, Marine and Dredging works have been completed. The contractors, it explained, hail from India, China, Brazil and Europe.

“Within the 330 acres of land with approximately 1500 feet of waterfront, phase one of the project will encompass industrial areas, offices, warehouses, workshops, spool base, a liquid mud plant, equipment and construction laydown areas for all oil and gas-related activities,” the company explained on Wednesday.

The technical area will accommodate a large facility for the storage of gasoil and gasoline, water and sewage treatment plants, and the power plant to ensure continuous power supply to the entire

shore base.

Track record

The company also defended itself against questions about its unflattering track record, assuring that it has 40 years of experience in the industry. It credited itself with the construction and management of similar projects in West Africa.

Another shore base facility, located at Houston, Georgetown, currently services ExxonMobil and its partners. That facility is a joint venture between Muneshwers Limited, Pacific Rim constructors, TOTALTEC Oilfield services and LED Offshore.

According to InterOil, choosing Essequibo as its location was a strategic decision.

“The ISIKA Shore Base will be developed on land above sea level, which is a significant factor, given the global climate changes trends which affect Georgetown and the entire Region,” it said.

Rothschild & Co, an independent internation-

InterOil’s local content commitments come even as the Government is facing criticism from all sides for not being able to address local content. It was

only on Tuesday that the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association took the Government to task for failing to protect the interests of Guyanese.

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Transgender people still facing challenges …1 year after historic CCJ ruling on cross-dressing By: Devina Samaroo

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ransgender people continue to face many challenges in Guyana, despite it being more than one year since the historic ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), striking down the country’s archaic cross-dressing laws.

“While the CCJ ruled that cross-dressing is unconstitutional, there is a disharmony between the attitude of people on the ground and the legislation,” Alessandra Hereman, a transwoman and sociologist related.

She was speaking on Tuesday night during a panel discussion following a film festival organ-

ised by the Society Against Sexual Orientation and Discrimination (SASOD) and the Argentine Embassy in Guyana.

“While we fight for more progressive legislation, what we need is community sensitisation,” Alessandra noted.

On November 13, 2018, the CCJ struck down a law in Guyana, which makes it a criminal offence for a man or a woman to appear in a public place while dressed in clothing of the opposite sex.

It was a major victory for Guyanese Trans people, who fought a long battle to achieve that bit of legislative change.

Despite the win, Trans

Alessandra Hereman

people are still facing challenges when it comes to them being true to themselves.

Alessandra, who is also a project coordinator at Guyana Trans United (GTU), said a recent survey conducted found that many Trans people have had difficulties in finding jobs, due to their gender expression.

“A few transwomen reported experiencing discrimination in seeking jobs post CCJ ruling; examples given are businesses located on Regent Street,” she said.

In fact, Alessandra recalled her own experience, while preparing to graduate from the University of Guyana.

“While I’m a transwoman, on my profile, I am still registered as a male.

So, I am Miss Alessandra

Hereman but my gender is a male”.

As such, Alessandra said she was uncertain how to dress, in keeping in line with the institution’s dress code.

“I [didn’t] want to show up in male attire, pants and suits. I wanted to wear a dress,” she said, explaining that she was concerned about how persons would respond.

Through the intervention of a lecturer, Alessandra was able to flaunt her dress at the graduation ceremony.

Managing Director of SASOD, Joel Simpson, highlighted the fact that there is no legal recognition of transgender identities.

“The fact that [you are a transwoman], they will address you as ‘miss’ but in categorisation on your ID card or passport, is still a sex body classification which says ‘male’,” he pointed out.

However, all is not bad.

There is greater awareness about the existence of Trans people in Guyana since the CCJ ruling.

But, with this increased visibility, there is an equally increased risk of violence and discrimination towards transgender people.

To change this, organisations like SASOD and GTU believe there needs to be more community sensitisation, especially in schools.

AK-47 in latrine

Wanted bulletin issued for Sophia man T

he Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for 27-year-old Steve Richard Bacchus, of E North Sophia, and of Lot 71 Block F North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, for questioning in relation to the possession of firearms, ammunition, and narcotics.

The crime was allegedly committed on Monday last at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

It was reported that an

Wanted by Police: Steve Richard Bacchus

intelligence operation carried out by the Force resulted in the arrest of a construction worker and his reputed wife after they were busted with unlicensed firearms, ammunition and a large quantity of cannabis (in a pit latrine). At that time, they were still in pursuit of a third suspect.

Based on information from the Police, the sixhour-long operation conducted in North Sophia resulted in the discovery of

a quantity of local and foreign currencies, along with two unlicensed firearms – an AK-47 rifle and a pistol, 69 live ammunition rounds and over 32 kilograms of suspected cannabis.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Bacchus is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-6978, 225-8196, 911 or the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

In the season of sharing and demonstrating compassion to all, Silvie’s Industrial Solutions (SIS) was thrilled to donate four King Power Fans to the Lions Clubs International on Monday, November 25, 2019. SIS Administrative Manager Deepwattie Persaud (in blue) presented the donation to Lions Chairperson Ambika Singh.This donation is expected to benefit the lives of many children. SIS, the leading importer and distributor of domestic and industrial equipment, believes in building a better life for all and is committed to partnering with all agencies that are committed to championing the social causes of our society

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Traffic ranks freed of bribery charge

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wo traffic ranks of the Guyana Police Force were on Wednesday freed of a bribery charge when they appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-eight-yearold Police Constable Chris Brown, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, and Mark Collins

were accused of obtaining $10,000 from Iyana Hutson as inducement or reward to forego instituting charges against Dwayne Dover for a traffic offence he had committed.

The bribe was reportedly collected on December 7, 2017, at the Ruimveldt Police Station.

The matter was dis-

missed by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who upheld a no-case submission that was made by their lawyers.

According to reports, Brown was discharged from the Guyana Police Force following the charge and his colleague was interdicted.

It was reported that on the day in question, Brown and Collins were lured into a

sting operation.

It was reported that Dover was driving a Canter truck in the vicinity of Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown, when he was intercepted for a traffic offence by the ranks when Brown allegedly solicited $15,000 from Dover to relinquish the charge against him.

The rank stated that Dover contacted his supervisor, who wrote down the serial numbers of some bills.

He then notified a Police Sergeant at the Ruimveldt Police Station of the incident and gave him the serial numbers as well.

The supervisor reportedly went down to the Ruimveldt Police Station

where she handed over $10,000 to Brown, who allegedly gave another traffic rank the cash.

The two ranks were later searched and Police retrieved the cash with the corresponding serial numbers. Both Brown and Collins had been out on bail pending trial.

Logos Hope returns to Guyana with new attractions L

ogos Hope is expected to touch the shores of Guyana in a matter of days for its annual floating book fair in Georgetown, which is set to commence on December 2 and end on December 8.

Along with the fair, representatives of Logos Hope announced that they will be offering new attractions in 2019.

With new programmes added to their agenda, according to Logos Hope

Representatives of Logos Hope

Project Manager Mar Rutgers, the book fair is intended to give Guyanese a chance to hop on board and experience over 5000 titles of books of different genres.

“Onboard, we have 5000 different genres of books in a total of half a million of books in our little basement on the ship and the book hold itself,” she noted.

Another official, Boaz

Pathsuthichtoe, related that the ship will not only be about books but there are other events that are scheduled to take place.

“On the ship, we don’t only have books but we have 400 crew members (who) prepared an interesting event for every day of the week. The first one is a children’s programme. On Saturday, we have to meet the world, and on Sunday, we have theatre,” he explained.

In addition, members of the Logos team stated that it will be visiting various organisations to make charitable contributions.

Some of the places that will be visited, according to Logos Hope representative Samuel Scheer, are the Georgetown prisons, where inmates will be given reading glasses to improve their literacy; hospitals, where

Logos Hope

encouragement and hope will be spread, and to several schools in Bartica, Region Seven ( Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

“As I heard and as I talked with the teachers, they told me that there is a lack of literature in general, so we will love to help out that.

We want to send a team there and take some boxes of books alongside and donate those books to the schools

there,” he said.

Nevertheless, opening hours for the ship are Monday, December 2 at 06:00h to 09:00h, Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00h to 21:00h and on Sunday from 14:00h to 21:00h.

Meanwhile, a fee of $200 will be charged for adults while children under the age of 12 and senior citizens will be admitted for free.

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“Students fight, it’s nothing unusual”— Education Minister …as male student beats female colleague

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espite the recent spike in cases where school-based violence was prominent, Education Minister Nicolette Henry said on Wednesday that these incidents are “normal” in schools countrywide.

Henry made the statement on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday, in response to a question posed by a reporter about the beating of a female student at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School.

In a video circulating on social media, a male student was seen hitting a female schoolmate continuously while pinning her to the ground in the school’s compound on Wednesday morning.

However, Minister Henry, whilst engaging the media, noted that such matters are dealt with by the welfare’s department.

“Well, usually students fight. It’s nothing unusual as you would know, you’ve gone to school yourselves and we all would’ve seen…so those would have to be addressed by the welfare department. There’s a standing operating procedure and they will effect that procedure, and

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

they have already begun the process… they will address that,” the Education Minister said.

In a subsequent statement, the Education Ministry had confirmed that it is investigating the situation and other similar matters affecting the school system, adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures that guide the same.

“The Ministry of Education has noted with concern a video circulating on social media involving a male and female student at a city school. The Education Ministry is currently investigating this

and other similar matters affecting the school system adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures that guide such matters. At the end of the investigation, the MoE will issue a detailed statement,” the statement said.

The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) had noted that while school violence is rarely lethal, it can lead to a wide array of negative health behaviours and many other psychological problems including, suicide.

In a separate incident at the Mon Repos Primary School, an eight-year-old

Richard Boodram and sixyear-old Fawaz Asgar were attacked by their classmates.

Boodram was hospitalised for several days after being hit to his head, while Asgar suffered a slashed hand.

In October 2019, a female student in Berbice was badly beaten and her hijab was ripped off by other students.

In another incident, a student who attended the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), also in Berbice, was viciously attacked by a group of other students, who were beating him with a belt.

Nevertheless, Henry committed to having these actions, including bullying, addressed.

“Bullyism is one of the more common ones and it is my understanding that will be addressed in the whole menu of services that we’ve providing and we’ve started to provide that” she explained.

The male student beating his female colleague at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School

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Guyana Goldfields’ stock market slump halted

…as new CEO appointed

Incoming Guyana Goldfields CEO, Alan Pangbourne

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ining company Guyana Goldfields’ slump on the Canadian stock market may have received a boost from its recent announcement of the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

According to the company, Alan Pangbourne will be the new CEO of the Canadian company effective January 1, 2020.

Pangbourne, who was already a member of Goldfields’ Board of Directors, takes over after months of infighting on the board of the company.

“Mr Pangbourne brings to the role of CEO over 35 years of diversified management and senior operation-

al experience with resource industry expertise in operations, engineering and major project development, along with a successful history of company turnarounds and M&A,” the company said.

He was most recently the Chief Operating Officer at SSR Mining Inc. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Projects, South America, with Kinross Gold Corporation. He also held a number of senior roles over 15 years at BHP Billiton Ltd, including President and Chief Operating Officer of Nickel Americas, which included Cerro Matoso, Colombia and project development in Guatemala and Cuba.

The company noted that Pangbourne holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Extractive Metallurgy and a Graduate Diploma in Mineral Processing from WA School of Mines, Kalgoorlie, Australia. It also noted that he has been serving as a Director of the Company since May 2019.

"We are delighted that Alan Pangbourne will join our team as President and CEO. Alan's extensive experience, as well as his operational background and tech-

ter the announcement of Pangbourne as the new CEO. At the time the announcement was made, the stock price was at 56 cents.

It fluctuated wildly that day, dropping and then climbing 58 cents by the next day.

It continued climbing until, by Tuesday, it was at 62 cents. Up to press time, however, the price dropped to and remained at 58 cents.

at its Aurora Gold Mine after strike action from hundreds of workers crippled the workflow. Planeloads of workers had to be flown out and the Government had gotten involved.

In the end, Guyana Goldfields recognised the National Mining Workers Union (NMWU) as the official union for its employees. This was not before

Mine. As part of the agreement, two new independent Directors were appointed to the Board, one of which was the interim CEO, Allen Palmiere, who is now being replaced by Pangbourne.

Besides Caldwell, two other long-serving independent Directors also stepped down.

The fallout between the dissenting shareholders, led by founder and

Interim CEO, Allen Palmiere

nical expertise, will be of tremendous benefit as we advance the company's corporate strategy," René Marion, Non-Executive Chair of the Board of Directors, was quoted as saying.

For his part, the statement quoted Pangbourne as expressing excitement, adding that he “look(s) forward to the opportunities we have to improve operational performance at Aurora and to create value for our shareholders through a disciplined approach to both productivity and value creation”.

Stocks

On the Toronto Stock Exchange, Guyana Goldfield’s stock prices enjoyed a resurgence af-

Toronto Stock index showing the effect the announcement has had on stock prices for Guyana Goldfields

To give an idea of the days preceding the announcement, the share price was at 57 cents on November 21 and on November 22, had steadily dropped from 59 cents to the 56 cents the announcement found it at.

Earlier this year, Guyana Goldfields was forced to suspend operations

President and then CEO of Goldfields, Scott Caldwell, stepped down with immediate effect.

Caldwell’s resignation was announced since April 2019 as part of the settlement of a bitter proxy battle for control of the Canadian company, which owns the Aurora Gold

ousted Chairman, Patrick Sheridan, and the company stemmed from poor performance. Back in March, Guyana Goldfields had announced that gold production from Aurora had declined by almost 1.7 million ounces, compared to the corresponding estimates from the previous year.

MoE commissions 2 new mobile counselling units

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he Education Ministry (MoE) on Wednesday commissioned two brand new mobile psychosocial units which will lend support to a similar facility that was commissioned in 2018 to provide counselling for students on issues that affect their physical and mental wellness.

The $21 million units were handed over to the school support section of the Education Ministry, following a simple commissioning ceremony at its Brickdam, Georgetown location.

The units are expected to provide counselling services for students in order to help them cope with situations in their school envi-

ronment which may hinder their physical, mental, and academic wellness.

Other beneficiaries include teachers, family members and other individuals who may require the service.

This was according to Regional Education Officer Marcia Andrews in opening remarks.

“The mobile psychosocial unit was established with the interest and welfare of the children. The aim of this unit is to identify and assist children with school-related problems and foster help to foster relationships between the parent and school…in addition, this unit will help to raise awareness and pro-

vide psychosocial services for individuals and families and communities,” Andrews highlighted.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Nicolette Henry, whilst sharing knowledge on the initiative, noted that the additional units will offer support to the existing one, and provide services all across the country to vulnerable students.

“Last year, we were able to implement this psychosocial unit services and so we could’ve only afforded one unit…this year, we are expanding and so we have acquired two additional units, it’s my hope and desire that these units not only operate in Georgetown but go be-

yond Region Four and reach our students who are most in need and vulnerable,” Henry posited.

According to her, the Education Ministry recognises the demand for such services and acknowledges that more work along this line will have to be undertaken.

“For the first time, we have our own physician and so we’re going to ensure that we not only provide service but we will provide quality service to those in need, and we recognise that there’s a greater need and a bigger demand...a lot of work will have to be done by this sector,” the Minister asserted.

This initiative was made

The two commissioned psychosocial units

possible through the Public Health, Social Protection and Education Ministries.

The units are fully equipped with essentials as

the existing ones including refrigerator, stove, air conditioner, bath and other facilities to benefit the officials visiting various areas.

PAHO, Health Ministry test radiation emergency action plan T he Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) on Wednesday facilitated procedural testing of the action plan established to address radiation emergency.

In collaboration with the Public Health Ministry, Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other involved agencies, stakeholders culminated for discussions on the complexity of their national response plan and if it checked all the boxes for areas to be handled during a radiological accident.

Countries used radioactive sources for a number of reasons, and in the health

sector, it is utilised to provide diagnostic information on vital organs, to treat cancer and diagnose an assortment of medical conditions and disorders. A Radiation Emergency Response Plan should contain the policy and procedures for the handling of emergencies involving radioactive materials.

It is a requirement of the Public Health Sector, also, to be able to provide medical care to persons affected by radiation. As part of the discussions, the usage of these radioactive sources in a safe way was examined.

According to PAHO/ WHO representative, Dr Zoila Fletcher-Payton, in-

ternational standards should be adapted to ensure the safety of persons operating or those who are in close proximity to these electromagnetic wave sources.

Senior Response Officer of the CDC, Captain Salim October said this action plan is to ensure “that Guyana is prepared to prevent, respond and manage any type of hazards, with radiation being no exception”.

He added, “Our mission is centred on reducing the loss of life and the prevention of damage to property.

All aims are to the improvement of life, health, economic continuity and well-being for all Guyanese and

non-nationals. As a competent national authority for disaster risk management, we achieve our mission by leading, coordinating and supporting the nation in the development of and enhancement of a comprehensive disaster risk management system”.

According to the WHO, the scale or types of radiological emergencies may range

from an isolated occupational or medical over-exposure of a person and even a major catastrophe with global dimensions. Regardless of size, human health must always be taken as a priority.

The global health agency documented, “The International Health Regulations (2005) include in its’ scope radio-nuclear hazards and countries

should meet the core national capacities requirements for response to radiation emergencies. Public Health Sector must be prepared to respond and to provide medical care to the injured.

WHO and its global network REMPAN assist countries to strengthen preparedness and response to radiation emergencies”.

news

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thursday, november 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

6-year-old dies in Berbice accident

…mother, others injured

A

six-year-old boy was on Wednesday crushed to death by a speeding car along the Bush Lot Public Road, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Dead is Nifram Nezamodeen, of Bush Lot Village, and a student of the Latchmansingh Primary School. Those listed as critical are his sister, Asriya Nezamodeen, 8; his mother, Ameena Diaram, 25, and 45-year-old Parvatie Babulall.

Reports are that Diaram went to collect her two children from school and was standing in the corner along with Babulall, her child, and others when they were struck by a speeding car.

Nezamodeen was dragged

Injured mother: Ameena Diaram

The now-dead child and his sister in happier times

The car that was involved in the accident

for some distance and ended up under the vehicle.

This publication understands that the car was at the time being driven by a teenager. Eyewitnesses say the car was driving at a

fast rate when it suddenly swerved from the southern side of the road to the northern side.

The car came to a halt partly submerged in a trench. The lad was pulled

Kublall, 8, and Alyana Arokium, also 8, were admitted as patients at the Fort Wellington Hospital. They are said to be in stable conditions.

Several other persons

from under the bumper.

He was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

On the other hand, Babulall’s daughter, Tahera

were treated and sent away.

The driver of the vehicle, who was the lone occupant of the car at the time of the accident, is assisting the Police with the investigations.

Port Mourant Market closed indefinitely ANSA McAL spreads cheers for International Children’s Day owing to non-payment of staff

A

O

fficials of the Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic (NDC) were forced to close the gates to the community market indefinitely after a build-up of garbage as a result of non-payment of workers.

The notice of the closure came through a poorly-constructed letter issued by the overseer of the JohnsPort Mourant NDC, Meena Ramnarine.

According to the correspondent, workers did not turn up for work all week since they did not receive

The trench filled with garbage at the market

The overflowing bins at the market

wages and salaries.

As such, the letter stated that the public would be greatly affected by the stench from garbage pile-up, hence, the decision to close.

It further stated that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), a school and several business places will be severely affected.

As a result of this, the facility has been ordered closed. The letter seen by this newspaper added that the Local Government Commission refuses to address the issues of wages and salaries in a timely manner.

Guyana Times understands that 12 workers attached to the NDC were

not paid for weeks and even months.

Several workers, nevertheless, downed tools, demanding their wages and salaries.

However, the Local Government Commission had indicated that those persons who were employed by the NDC without the approval of the Commission will not receive payments.

The NDC has been submitting payroll for both approved and unapproved staff members to facilitate payment but despite several requests to separate the names, the overseer refuses to do so.

The gates to the Port Mourant Market remain locked

NSA McAL Trading Limited (AMTL), through its Cheifeez Brand, made approximately 64 kids smile last week with visits to two children’s homes.

On International Children’s Day, AMTL visited the Bless the Children Home and the Convalescent Home where kids were able to sample the great taste of Cheifeez Snacks while interacting with some of AMTL staff as well as Kuba, the Chiefeez mascot.

The day also entailed numerous games for the kids that shared many playful moments with Kuba. Their creative ability was also on display with books and crayons provided by ANSA McAL.

Some of the children posed with cartoon character Kuba

Brand Representative of the Cheifeez Brand, Tiffany Aaron shared that this is the season to spread “cheer” and that

ANSA McAL is proud to be able to give back to the Guyanese community as part of its social responsibility.

16

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thursday, november 28, 2019

Regional

T&T SORT rescues dozens of Latin Americans from central bar A

t least 55 Latin American females, some in their early teens, believed to be part of a sex trafficking ring were rescued from a Central Sports Bar by officers of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) on Tuesday night just after 21:00h.

Senior Police sources told Guardian Media that SORT officers, headed by Sgt Mark Hernandez, entered the Yihai Entertainment Sports Bar along the Southern Main Road in the vicinity of Enterprise and found several underage girls and women at the establishment.

Several male patrons who were at the sports bar were taken out of the building and made to lie face down on the ground as officers scoured in-

SORT officers lead the women out of a central sports bar from where they were rescued on Tuesday night [Photo by: Abraham Diaz]

side the building.

Sources say that many of the girls and women were locked in rooms at the sports

bar and believe the establishment was being used as a "storage unit" for several of the girls and young women—

who are taken to other places across the country to sell their bodies.

Senior Police sources said that they are searching for the owner of the sports bar who is said to be of Asian descent.

The women were taken to an undisclosed location where they will be questioned further with the assistance of interpreters.

In February this year, SORT smashed a major sex ring after rescuing 19 girls in Westmoorings and at the Stir Fry King restaurant along Ariapita Avenue.

A Venezuelan woman and a Chinese male national were later arrested and charged for sexual several offences. (T&T Guardian)

Brazil outraged as Minister references authoritarian AI-5 decree

B

razil's economy minister, referencing a draconian security measure used during the country's nearly 20-year dictatorship, sparked outrage while warning against anti-government street protests.

Asked about the threat of protests seen in many parts of South America spreading to Brazil following the release of leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from prison, Economy Minister

Paulo Guedes stressed he did not believe calling people to the streets was democratic.

Guedes made the comment to reporters on Tuesday during a trip to Washington, DC. "Is democracy only when your side wins? When the other side wins, after 10 months you convoke everyone to take to the streets? What kind of responsibility is that? Don't be startled then if someone asks for an AI-5," Guedes said, re-

ferring to a decree passed during the 1964 to 1985 dictatorship, which permitted the closing down of Congress as well as censorship and torture.

"AI-5" began trending worldwide on Twitter shortly after he made the comments.

Gleisi Hoffmann, leader of the leftist main opposition PT party, in a tweet, said Guedes "defends the use of AI-5" and a view of politics that "the people must suffer in silence".

Dias Toffoli, the head of the Supreme Court, also came out against the comments saying the "AI-5 is incompatible with a democracy".

"You do not build a future with the failed experiences of the past," he said.

Guedes later tried to walk back his comments, saying they were off the record. He then sought to clarify his position by saying the return of the decree would not happen.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bolivia crisis: Interim leader appoints 1st US envoy in 11 years

Parts of Bolivia have been crippled by violent clashes since Evo Morales' resignation

B

olivia's interim leader has appointed the country's first US Ambassador in 11 years, after vowing to overturn many of ex-President Evo Morales' policies.

The new Ambassador, Walter Oscar Serrate Cuellar, used to be the country's representative to the UN. Morales, a socialist who led Bolivia for almost 14 years and was its first Indigenous President, resigned on November 10 and fled to Mexico.

He stepped down after a disputed presidential election last month.

The election result sparked weeks of protests, culminating in Morales' resignation. He says he was the victim of a right-wing coup.

Since he resigned, parts of the country have been crippled by violent protests. At least 29 people have been

killed in clashes between security forces and protesters, Reuters reported.

During Morales' time in power, the country's relationship with the US was tense.

In 2008, under former US President George W Bush, ambassadors from both countries were expelled during a diplomatic spat.

She broke diplomatic ties with the socialist governments of Cuba and Venezuela, which were previously two of Bolivia's closest allies in the region. Áñez also formally recognised Venezuela's Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó as the country's president, rather than President Nicolás Maduro.

All of Bolivia's ambassadors were dismissed, except for those to the Vatican and Peru. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Mexico rejects US intervention after Study finds progress in treating HIV in the Trump outlines drug cartel plan

M

exico's President has rejected any US intervention in his country, after President Donald Trump said US forces were willing to "go in and clear out" drug cartels.

"Co-operation, yes; intervention, no," Andrés Manuel López Obrador said in response to Trump's comments.

The US President announced in a Tuesday interview he would legally designate Mexican drug gangs as terrorist groups.

Earlier this month nine US citizens were killed in an ambush in Mexico.

The victims – three women and six children who also had Mexican nationality – were killed while travelling through a remote area in the north of the country.

Mexican drug cartels have been blamed for thousands of deaths in recent years

After the attack, the victims' Mormon community – the LeBarons – petitioned the White House to list the cartels as terror groups.

The legal move outlined by Trump would enable a wider scope of action against them.

Speaking at a news conference in Mexico City on Wednesday, President López Obrador said Mexicans "had nothing to fear" and that the Foreign Minister, Marcelo Ebrard, would address the issue after the US Thanksgiving

holiday on Thursday.

On Twitter, Ebrard said he was already in contact with US authorities and that his efforts would be focused on "defending [Mexico's] sovereignty and its own decisions".

Earlier, he said Mexico "would never accept" any violation of its sovereignty and that the Government was committed to tackling transnational organised crime, adding: "Mutual respect is the basis for co-operation".

In the interview, President Trump told conservative media figure Bill O'Reilly, a former Fox News host that he had been working on the process of designating the drug cartels as terrorist organisations "for the last 90 days".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Leading LGBT+ activist found dead in Haiti

A

leading LGBT+ activist has been found dead at his home in Haiti, rights supporters said on Tuesday, prompting concerns about the safety of the LGBT+ community in the Caribbean nation.

The body of Jeudy Charlot, who led one of the Caribbean's few LGBT+ rights organizations called Kouraj, or Courage in English, was

found on Monday, according to the group's website which called the death "a blow to the LGBT+ community".

Charlot's cause of death was not immediately known, and Haitian authorities did not respond to requests for comment.

Charlot was 46 years old.

Last year, Charlot's organisation joined with the United Nations to launch a project

in Haiti to reduce discrimination and homophobia and promote tolerance and equal rights following incidents of anti-LGBT+ street violence.

"People are very afraid, and when an outspoken human rights leader dies it has a ripple effect across the LGBTQI community," said Jessica Stern, Executive Director of OutRight Action International, a New York-

based human rights organisation.

"The impact is one of fear," Stern, who said she knew Charlot personally, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Haiti has no laws criminalising same-sex relationships, but the nation's LGBT+ community remains mostly underground due to social stigma. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean 'tenuous'

A

new report has found that across the Caribbean, progress has been made in reducing new infections and AIDSrelated deaths, but these gains appear tenuous.

The report, titled Communities at the Centre — The response to HIV in the Caribbean, has been released ahead of World AIDS Day 2019 on December 1 with the theme 'Communities make the difference'.

According to the study, national responses are highly dependent on donor funding, especially for programmes focused on key populations.

The study noted that the financial resources available for HIV responses in the Caribbean have fluctuated over time, reaching the same level in 2018 as in 2010.

In total, US$326 million was available for the Caribbean's HIV programmes in 2018, considerably less than the US$600 million needed to achieve its FastTrack Targets by 2020.

The availability of domestic resources for the HIV response increased by 69 per cent during this eight-year period, reaching 27 per cent of the total resources for HIV in the region. International donors decreased their share

from 84 per cent in 2010 to 73 per cent last year.

During that period, bilateral contributions from the United States Government increased by 13 per cent, while disbursements from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) and all other international sources decreased by 32 and 91 per cent, respectively.

It said access to evidence-informed combination prevention services varies markedly, and scale-up of these services is needed, including increased investment in community programmes, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at high risk of HIV infection, and assisted partner notification following an HIV diagnosis.

“Many people living with HIV are diagnosed several years after they acquire the virus. Innovative testing strategies are required to reach those who have never been tested and to increase early diagnosis. In 2018, progress towards the second 90 (90 per cent of people who know their HIV-positive status are accessing treatment) has stalled in the region due to slowing treatment uptake”.

(Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, november 28, 2019

17

Around the World Bangladesh Islamists sentenced to death for 2016 attack

S

even Islamists have been sentenced to death for a 2016 attack on a cafe in the Bangladeshi capital in which 22 people, mostly foreigners, were killed.

The attack on the Holey Artisan cafe in Dhaka was carried out by a group of five men, who took diners hostage.

Eight people were on trial, accused of planning the attack and supplying weapons. One man was acquitted.

The 12-hour siege was Bangladesh’s deadliest Islamist attack. Most of the victims were Italian or Japanese.

The attack was claimed

after the verdict was delivered, said the charges against the accused “were proved beyond any doubt”.

“The court gave them the highest punishment,” the Prosecutor told reporters.

A defence lawyer said the seven men would appeal. Death sentences in

Eight people were put on trial accused of supplying weapons to the attackers

by the Islamic State (IS) group, but Bangladesh disputed this, instead holding a local militant group responsible. All of the gunmen were killed by Police.

Since the attack,

Bangladesh authorities have led a brutal crackdown on militants it sees as a destabilising force in the predominantly Muslim country.

Public Prosecutor Golam Sarwar Khan, speaking

Trump invited to attend impeachment hearing or “stop complaining”

C

ongress has invited US President Donald Trump to its first impeachment hearing on December 4.

Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Trump could either attend or “stop complaining about the process”.

If he does attend, the President would be able to question witnesses.

It would mark the next stage in the impeachment

inquiry, which centres on a July phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In that call, President Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, currently the front runner to be the Democratic candidate in next year’s presidential election, and his son Hunter Biden, who had previously worked for Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

The probe is looking

into whether Trump used the threat of withholding US military aid to pressure Ukraine into investigating the Bidens. The President has denied any wrongdoing and has called the inquiry a “witch hunt”.

Last week, the House Intelligence Committee wrapped up two weeks of public hearings, which followed several weeks of closed-door witness interviews. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Bangladesh are carried out by hanging.

The wife of Robiul Islam, a policeman killed in the attack, said she hoped the death sentence would be carried out as soon as possible.

“In our society, it is really difficult for a widow to live

with two kids. But I’ll consider myself lucky, because I’ve been showered with respect and support. My husband died for his country and is considered a martyr,” Umme Salma told BBC Bengali. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Woman survives as runaway truck flattens her car in South Africa

A

26-year-old woman has suffered serious injuries after a runaway truck landed on her car in the South African city of Port Elizabeth.

The truck driver had parked the vehicle while he picked up his children from the Parsons Hill primary school, Police said.

It rolled down the hill, smashing into the car from above.

The woman’s Opel Adam was virtually flattened, leaving her trapped inside for nearly 40 minutes.

Emergency services eventually pulled her out, reports said.

The woman survived, but was taken to hospital with multiple injuries, including fractures, paramedics said.

Paramedics from independent ambulance company Netcare 911 were among

The truck driver had parked the vehicle while he picked up his children from school, Police said

those to respond to the accident on Tuesday afternoon.

“The truck was squashing both her and her car.

Parts of it had to be cut off in order to free her,” Shawn Herbst, a spokesman for Netcare 911, told the BBC. The truck driver, who has not been named, is being investigated for reckless and negligent driving, police said.

“When he returned to his truck, he noticed it was no longer parked where he had left it,” Police spokeswoman Sandra Janse van Rensburg told local newspaper HeraldLive.

“He then noticed that the truck had rolled forward and collided with an Opel Adam.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia urges US to extend nuclear Albania: Rescue effort pact due to expire in 2021 intensifies amid fresh tremors

R

ussia has formally proposed to the United States that the two nuclear superpowers extend their New START arms control treaty by five years, though Moscow would also settle for a shorter extension, a senior Russian official said on Wednesday.

The New START accord, which is due to expire in February 2021, is the last

major nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington. It limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads they can deploy to 1550 each.

Russia warned earlier this month there was already not enough time left for Moscow and Washington to negotiate a full-fledged replacement to the treaty and that time was running out to

agree on an extension.

“We proposed to the United States extending the treaty by five years as stipulated in it, or, if for some reason that is uncomfortable for the US side, then for a shorter period of time...,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday, RIA news agency reported. (Excerpt from Reuters)

DR Congo: At least 19 killed in new rebel attack near Beni

A

t least 19 people were killed in a new rebel attack in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as anger grows against United Nations peacekeepers and security forces for failing to protect civilians.

The latest attack on Wednesday took place after fighters belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group went into a village near Oicha, about 30 kilometres (14 miles) from Beni town.

Donat Kibwana, the administrator of Beni territory, said many family members of the victims were afraid to return to the scene for fear of being attacked, but an initial

R

escuers from several countries are scrambling to find survivors of the earthquake which hit Albania, killing 28 people and injuring 650.

Using sniffer dogs, they are sifting through rubble, 36 hours after the magnitude 6.4 tremor.

Whole families have perished – and thousands are staying out in the open as powerful aftershocks hit.

Most of the deaths occurred in the coastal city of Durres and the town of Thumane, close to the epicentre.

Tuesday’s earthquake was the strongest to hit Albania in decades. A tearful Defence Minister said

Whole families perished in the quake hitting in the early hours of Tuesday

three children were among those killed, and while homes could be rebuilt the 28 people killed could not be brought back.

The quake struck 34 kilometres (21 miles) north-west of the capital, Tirana, as people slept in

their beds during the early hours.

The latest aftershock – a magnitude 5.6 – is said to have damaged a building in Durres next to one where intense rescue efforts are under way.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Scientists complete testing of male birth control Eighty-one people in the Beni region have been killed since November 5, according to an NGO [Oleksandr Klymenko/Reuters file photo]

search found 19 people dead.

“This assessment remains provisional as the search continues,” Kibwana said. “We have reinforced the military presence in the territory of Beni, but also the army has pursued the rebels. We call

on the population to remain calm.”

The attack came days after the ADF was blamed for killing eight Beni residents on Sunday, prompting protesters to take to the streets.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

R

oughly half of all pregnancies worldwide aren’t planned.

We can attribute this, at least partially, to the fact that half the species (ahem, women) bears most of the birth control burden. If men had access to a long-lasting contraception, researchers have projected, the rate of unplanned pregnancies

would tumble.

Now, Indian scientists claim they are getting closer to giving men such an option. Officials at the Indian Council of Medical Research say they’ve successfully completed clinical testing of the world’s first injectable male contraceptive, the Hindustan Times reported.

“The product is ready, with only regulatory approvals pending with [India’s drug regulator],” Radhey Shyam Sharma, a New Delhi reproductive biologist who leads the research, told the newspaper.

“The product can safely be called the world’s first male contraceptive.”

(Excerpt from Vox)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, november 28, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

dilbert

(April 20May 20)

Peanuts

SUDOKU

You’ll have the wherewithal to get what you want.

Step into the spotlight and voice your opinion. Spend time with people who bring out the best in you. An unexpected insight will be offered.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

You will be all about chitchat today. Make sure you take care of your responsibilities as well. Money will be tight, but if you are thrifty, you’ll do OK.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

If you share your feelings, you’ll get a good response. Romance is highlighted and plans can be made. If you spruce up your appearance, you’ll look good and feel good too.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

If you let your Leo charm shine through, you will make noteworthy allies and associates. If you are gracious, everyone will follow you, but if you are aggressive, you will be left out.

VIRGO

An opportunity to help a friend or a youngster will make your day. The more you do to help someone, the better you will feel about yourself. Love is encouraged.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Reject overspending or any other form of indulgence. You’ll encounter a negative response from someone you share financial interests with if you don’t stick to a budget.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Get your point across and your ideas off the ground. A day trip will lead to information that will help set the stage for future prospects.

Expand your interests.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Use your intelligence and be innovative. Make phone calls or meet with people you respect and want to work alongside. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

Make things happen.

SAGITTARIUS Don’t let your personal life (Nov. 23interfere with your profesDec. 21) sional responsibilities. Leave no room for criticism, and aim for perfection. Protect your reputation and position.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Take care of your responsibilities before you engage in some leisure time. Make plans to do something you’ve never done before with a loved one. A commitment can be made.

AQUARIUS

Don’t let anyone stand in your way. If you dig deep and ask questions, you’ll find the information you need to get ahead. Personal improvements will boost your confidence.

SOLUTION FOr LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Looking out for others or lending a helping hand will make you feel good, but don’t let anyone take advantage of your generosity. Romance is in the stars.

thursday, november 28, 2019

19

round-up: Clippers manhandle

Mavs for 6th straight win K

awhi Leonard scored 28 points and Paul George added 17 of his 26 points in the first quarter as the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to six games with a 114-99 victory over the host Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

George and Leonard were playing together in a road game for the first time, and they were on the court as teammates for just the fourth time overall.

Luka Doncic had 22 points and eight rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points and 10 boards for the Mavericks, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. Dallas lost a home game for the first time since November 8.

The Clippers’ defence, led by guard Patrick Beverley, clamped down on Doncic, who entered averaging 30.6 points per game, third-best in the NBA. The Mavericks were also the second-best scoring team in the NBA at 119.1 points per game.

George shot 5 of 9 from the field and 4 of 6 from 3-point range in the first quarter. The Clippers went 7 of 11 (63.6 per cent) from beyond the arc in the opening 12 minutes but hit just 39.3 per cent from the field overall during the quarter.

The fast start helped the Clippers to a 62-46 halftime lead, with the Mavericks shooting just 31.4 per cent from the field in the opening two quarters. They finished at 38 per cent in the game while the Clippers converted 42.3 per cent.

Doncic had 15 first-half points but was just 2 of 9 from the field and 0 of 5 from 3-point range, though he did go 11 of 11 from the freethrow line.

Seth Curry finished the night with 13 points for Dallas, and JJ Barea added 12 points in just his third game of the season.

The Clippers built their advantage to as many as 22 in the third quarter when they shot 54.5 per cent from the field, and they led 93-77 at the start of the fourth.

Lou Williams had 21 off the Los Angeles bench, and Montrezl Harrell added 12 as the Clippers won at Dallas for the first time since November 2016.

Nuggets whip Wizards, run win streak to 6

Jerami Grant scored a season-high 20 points, Will Barton had 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the host, Denver Nuggets, beat the Washington Wizards 117104 on Tuesday night.

Jamal Murray had 16 points, Mason Plumlee scored 15, and Nikola Jokic had a season-high 20 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have won six in a row.

Jordan McRae led the Wizards with 21 points.

Davis Bertans, Bradley Beal and Moritz Wagner had 14 each for the Wizards, who have dropped their past two games.

Washington came into the night tied for second in the NBA in points per game at 119.1 but needed a big fourth quarter to surpass the 100-point mark.

The Wizards’ season-low of 97 points came in the second game of the season and is the only time in 15 games the team has failed to reach 100 points.

The Wizards cancelled their morning shoot-around due to the winter storm that hit late Monday night. Up to 16 inches of snow fell in the metro area but the storm had stopped by mid-afternoon.

The Nuggets led by 17 at halftime and 20 in the third quarter but Washington was able to cut into the deficit with a couple of 3-pointers.

Denver responded with a 7-2 run to push the lead back to 19 and closed out the third leading 86-69.

With most of both teams’ starters on the bench in the fourth quarter, the Wizards made another small run to get within 14 on a couple of 3-pointers followed by a layup by Troy Brown Jr with 5:08 left.

Denver called a timeout, and Barton subsequently was fouled on a 3-point make. He hit the free throw to complete the four-point play and push the lead to 107-89.

The game was tied early in the second quarter, and Denver led by only four nearly midway through the period before taking over the rest of the first half.

Grant had a three-point play, a pair of free throws and a dunk, Plumlee hit a little hook, and Murray

dunked to put the Nuggets in front 51-38 with 4:41 left

before the break.

Denver went on an 11-3

run to end the second quarter and take a 64-47 half-

time lead. (Reuters)

Sponsors pledge continued support for DMW Hockey Festival

T

he 15th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water (DMW) International Hockey Festival commenced last evening, following the launch that took place earlier on Tuesday morning at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

At the event’s launch on Tuesday, President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Phillip Fernandes, shared the tournament’s origin story which included encouragement from Joseph “Reds” Perreira.

Delving deeper into the progress the DMW tournament has made since 2004, Fernandes disclosed that the hockey festival has caught the eye of the Pan American (PanAm) Organization, which is hoping to use the event as assessment grounds for umpires within the region.

“What PanAm has discussed with us, unofficially, is that they like the idea of using our festival as one of the few regional tournaments that have the profile enough to bring young umpires who are on the watch list and use this as an identification tournament for them to be able to move on in their umpiring career,” Fernandes disclosed.

ExxonMobil’s Nicholas Yearwood

If there were any questions about the continuity of Demerara Distillers Limited’s sponsorship of the tournament, those thoughts were thrown out the window

by Brand Manager Larry Wills, who asserted that the company will continue to support the tournament for years to come.

“This has been 15 great years for Diamond Mineral Water as title sponsor of the DMW Indoor Hockey Festival. We’re very happy to be on board and we continue to show the support that’s necessary for the development of sports in Guyana, and hockey more specifically. This is something that the teams can look

forward to in the coming years, there’s no letting up from us at this moment and we want to see our sportsmen and women be the best that they can be,” Wills confirmed.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil’s Nicholas Yearwood disclosed a hefty sum that the company has injected into community affairs, which includes sport.

As such, Yearwood attested to the company’s commitment to not only supporting Hockey but other sport disciplines.

“It’s always a pleasure to sponsor hockey. It’s our third year and we’re going strong and happy to be on board.

ExxonMobil is very committed to being a good community partner and investor in the development of youth and sports. Over the last seven years, we’ve committed over $2.5 billion to diverse projects in the community and sport is included,” Yearwood revealed.

Another sponsor who is on board with the hockey festival is Ansa McAL, through their Lucozade brand. Corporate Communications Officer Treiston Joseph stated that the Lucozade brand perfectly aligns with the excellence that the sport embodies.

“We definitely think that it’s an integral part of

DDL’s Diamond Mineral Water Brand Manager Larry Wills

the hockey development in Guyana and, of course, Lucozade is the perfect brand to be aligned with Diamond Mineral Water to further progress this tournament to the point where the Pan American Federation has identified it as a good tournament. So, of course, we are very enthused and proud to be a part,” Joseph stated.

While the tournament will commence tonight, games will continue until Sunday, December 2.The winners of the open men’s and women’s categories will receive US$1000, while second place pockets US$500. The winner of the over-35 category will take home US$500. (Jemima Holmes)

20

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A day I will always cherish – Cornwall on 7-wicket haul W

est Indies spin bowler Rahkeem Cornwall spoke to CWI Media after the opening day of the one-off Test match against Afghanistan at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Playing just his second Test and first outside the Caribbean, the 26-year-old returned the remarkable figures of 7-75 off 25.3 overs as West Indies bowled out the home side for 187. He also held a low-diving catch at first slip off Captain Jason Holder, who chipped in with 2-22 after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. West Indies reached 68-2 with John Campbell (30 not out) and Shamarh Brooks (19 not out) set to resume today at 09:30h (12 midnight Eastern Caribbean/23:30h Wednesday Jamaica).

Cornwall said it was the reward for patience on a helpful pitch.

“I was just looking to put the ball in the right areas and do what the Captain asked of me. I just tried to stay as balanced as possible, which is something I spoke a lot about with Roddy Estwick, the bowling coach. We decided to bowl first, as the Captain has said, that there was some moisture in the first hour. The pitch is turning a lot, but once the ball gets a little softer and older, it’s not as much, so I had to use my variations,” he said.

“I have to cherish this day. I will remember it

Rahkeem Cornwall

for the rest of my life and look to keep getting performances like this as the journey goes on. It was a special day … not just the way I bowled, but for some of the catches as well – by the Captain at leg slip and Shai at slip …

I still see myself as a batting all-rounder… so the wickets are a bonus. I will look to get some runs when I bat as well.”

Cornwall’s final haul was the best first innings analysis by a West Indian spinner since Jack Noreiga took 9-95 against India in Trinidad in 1971. This is the second five-wicket haul by a West Indies spinner this year – following Roston Chase’s match-winning 8-60 against England in Barbados. (CWI)

Meten-Meer-Zorg Future Youth defeat senior team

M

eten-Meer-Zorg Future Youths beat Meten-Meer-Zorg senior team by 42 runs in the Bibi Farida Asgarally Memorial 25-Over Cricket match, played at the West Meten-Meer-Zorg Centre Ground last Sunday.

The seniors won the toss and inserted the youths to take first strike, but they were bowled out for 155 in 24 overs.

Openers Jermain Maxwell and guest player Travis Imlack put together 19 before Maxwell was bowled for 5 by Levroy Miggings.

The youths slipped to 39 for 4 in 11 overs before Imlack and veteran Seymour Evans put on 49 runs for the fifth wicket. Evans was caught on the boundary for 29, which included three sixes. Imlack, who was holding the innings together, was brilliantly caught

by Rabindra Dasrath on the second attempt at short mid-

The winning team with the trophy along with (third from right) Naseema Khan, daughter of the late Asgarally

well-supported by Miggings (2 for 19) and Javid Shafeek (2 for 27).

In reply, the more experienced team showed their worth as openers Dasrath and DJ Adrian Johnson put on 32, before Johnson was bowled by his cousin Sheldon Alexander for 25 (4 fours and 1 six). Miggings was the next batsman with

GTM/RCCI/RFA U-17 male and female tourney

Guyana Rush Saints emerge as champions

Travis Imlack receiving the best batsman trophy for his 71 from Shabir Hussain

wicket for a workmanlike 71 featuring 4 sixes and 4 fours.

Travis Mohamed, who has just returned from club cricket in Canada, was the pick of the bowlers, with 3 for 21 from his right-arm leg-spin. He was

23 as all the other batsmen struggled against a steady bowling attack, with Sheldon Alexander capturing 4 for 23 from his five overs. Seymour Evans (2 for 23) and Captain

Jermain Maxwell (2 for 38 with his right-arm medium pace) saw the team to victory in the 19-over run chase.

At the presentation ceremony, Sheldon Alexander collected the best bowler trophy, Seymour Evans was adjudged Man of the Match and Travis Imlack was given the best batsman trophy for his 71. The winners collected $10,000 and a trophy. The losing team had to settle for the runner-up trophy.

At the presentation ceremony, a former resident of the village and one of West Demerara’s most successful Presidents, Shabir Hussain encouraged the players to be disciplined and keep fit. He also reminded them of the glory days of West Demerara cricket under his administration.

Daughter of the late Asgarally, Naseema Khan reminded the players of her mom, who passed away 18 years ago and was a Muslim leader in West Demerara. Also the strong ties her mom had to cricket mainly seeing her son, Ejaz Asgarally, don the national colours for three years and her grandson, Azurdeen Andy Mohamed, play at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Youth World Cup in New Zealand in 2010 for the USA.

Marslowe praises GFF for dedication towards football in Bartica

T Guyana Rush Saints (female) Captain Alicia Isaacs receives the winner’s trophy from GTM CEO Roger Yee

G

uyana Rush Saints male and female teams emerged as the respective champions when the inaugural Under-17 tournament, sponsored by the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual (GTM) Group of Insurance Companies under the auspices of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and organised by the Rupununi Football Association (RFA), concluded last weekend.

The three-day tournament, which was played between November 22-24 among seven male and four female clubs, was contested at the St Ignatius Village Sports Ground.

The male clubs were Guyana Rush Saints, Surama, Tabatinga, Terminators, Rising Stars, Shiriri and Far East United Sports Club. On the distaff side were Guyana Rush Saints,

Terminators, Tabatinga and Far East United.

Tabatinga Football Club ended as the runner-up teams in both segments of the competition.

GTM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roger Yee and staff, which included Ronald Nandlall, Travis Peters, Rayon Bostwick, Pheon Dryden and Rolando Sugrim, were present for the duration of the tournament.

Yee, who shared feature remarks at the opening and closing ceremonies, expressed his company’s delight to partner with the two entities as they sought to give back to the people by empowering the youths.

Yee stated that he was particularly impressed with the fact that young females were afforded an equal opportunity to showcase their

skills and talent like their male counterparts, He said the company would continue to invest and empower youths across Guyana, noting that GTM has an excellent track record of supporting sports and athletes in Guyana.

The champions, Guyana Rush Saints female and male teams were duly rewarded with trophies and medals as were the respective runner-up teams as well as the referees who officiated throughout the tournament.

RCCI President Daniel Gajie indicated that the people of Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) were very happy for this year’s U-17 tournament sponsorship.

GTM has definitely signalled its intention to continue sponsoring football for the youths.

he Bartica Football Association (BFA) has continued to move from strength to strength over the years. Under the leadership of President Alden Marslowe, the Association has seen growth in its football activities and new talent emerging.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport when asked about the improvement in football in 2019 as compared to 2018, Marslowe said, “Football was practically non-existent at Bartica in 2018. Though we haven’t been able to fulfil all of our plans for this year, we managed to run off a senior league after many years and some youth programmes. In terms of 2020 and our vision, we expect to have full use of the community ground in 2020. So the Football Association looks forward to competing leagues in fourage categories, as well as push the grassroots and female programmes. Along with that, we aim to have a

BFA President Alden Marslowe

number of capacity-building programmes for leaders, coaches, and referees.

With other tournaments like ‘Regatta’ and ‘Year-end’, 2020 is looking to be a really exciting year.”

The BFA President also went on to state that the teams have been successful in their home games, but have a tendency to not perform well in their away games. He noted that exposure to more competitions would yield better teams, so the Association was looking forward to invit-

ing outside clubs and associations to compete against members in their home and away games. Marslowe went on to state that the BFA was extremely grateful to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and its President, Wayne Forde. Marslowe related that the support of the GFF towards Bartica football was unmatched and it was through the FIFA Forward Programme and the GFF’s corporate partners that the Association was able to fund programmes for the year 2019.

In closing, Marslowe said, “I know Bartica football has a lot of potential; we have definitely seen great potential in our Under-20 and Under-17 players. Names we can mention: Kevin Reddy, who has had stints on several youth national teams; Joshua Jones, Cleavon Murray, Keron Spencer and Christon Seeram among others, and I believe that they have so much more untapped potential.”

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thursday, november 28, 2019

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VACANCIES

Top teams clash in Rio tournament tonight T

he National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue will be the battleground tonight when the fate of several high-profile community teams will be decided in the final group stage round of the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship.

The opening match will witness Broad Street against Ol Skool Ballers at 19:30h. A win for Broad Street will seal their place in the knockout round while a victory for Ol Skool Ballers would keep their chances of progressing as a third-place unit alive.

In the second match from 20:00h, undefeated Showstoppers from West Demerara face off with Stabroek Ballers, another side who are desperately in need of a positive result. The Avocado Ballers versus Beterverwagting [BV] clash at 20:30h will be an intriguing affair as both teams are currently

Complete fixtures and points standings Day 5 – Thursday, November 28

Broad Street v Ol Skool – 19:30h Showstoppers v Stabroek Ballers – 20:00h

A glimpse of what to expect when the tournament resumes tonight

on three points. A win for either seals their place in the knockout stage.

Unbeaten Leopold Street will take the stage against Tiger Bay from 21:00h, with the latter searching for their first win in their bid to qualify for the next round. Next on the

list will be Future Stars and Albouystown A from 21:30h. This match mirrors the Avocado Ballers and BV encounter as a victory seals their berth in the elimination round.

Finally, at 22:00h, tournament favourite Bent Street battle newcomer LA

ꟷ Samuel Seegolam elected President of Berbice River Cricket Association

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formed admirably and have certainly enthralled and entertained the fans, who have supported the event since its inception. Fans can expect another wonderful night of action.”

The release further said, “We are also thankful to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who have performed splendidly in carrying out their duties to ensure that the event has been incident-free. We are expecting another banner night heading into what promises to be a monumental knockout round as the teams battle for an historic first prize of $1,000,000.”

MYO/Trophy Stall InterEbini CC defeat Sandhills CC in Jamaat 10-Over Softball historic 20/20 match under lights Cricket Competition continues

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Ballers, who must win to stand a chance of progressing from the group stage.

According to an official release from the tournament coordinators, Three Peat Promotions, “The final night is expected to be an epic and gruelling showcase of talent and skills.

Many of the teams are still battling for a place in the elimination round, so effectively tonight is the start of the knockout stage.

Effectively eight teams will depart the tournament following the conclusion of the night, which adds to the drama of the tournament. The teams have per-

Avocado v BV – 20:30h Leopold Street v Tiger Bay – 21:00h Future Stars v Albouystown A – 21:30h Bent Street v LA Ballers – 22:00h

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The winning Ebini team pose with BCB President Hilbert Foster and BRCA President Samuel Seegolam

B

erbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster, MS, in late September had committed himself to organising a special cricket match under lights for players associated with the Berbice River Cricket Board (BRCB).

On Sunday last, Foster fulfilled his promise, with Ebini and arch-rivals Sandhills clashing in a 20/20 match at the historical Albion Cricket Ground.

The match attracted a sizeable crowd, including residents from both riverine communities, who travelled hours on the Berbice River to be part of the game. It was a thrilling match that had the crowd on their feet throughout the combined 40 overs, with victory being decided by two wickets.

Sandhills Friends batted first after winning the toss and reached 110 for 5 from their allotted 20 overs, with Leon Swammy (33 not out) and Michael Caple (10) adding 42 for the first wicket before Caple was bowled by Peter Grant in the eighth over. Totaram Sooknanan (3 for 12) and Peter Grant (2 for 14) were the best of the Ebini bowlers.

Needing to score 111 from 20 overs to defeat Sandhills for the first time in over 15 matches, Ebini reached 112 for 8 in 17.5 overs to spark wild celebrations from their loyal and passionate fans.

They were on the ropes at 90 for 8, but the ninthwicket pair of Peter Grant and Kempton Richards added 22 runs, with extras contributing 12.

Grant ended on 4 while Richards was on 7.

Earlier, Sooknanan contributed 22 and Keron Kertzious 14. Ryan De Nobrega completed a fine all-round match by taking 3 for 12 from 4 overs.

BCB President Foster committed himself to organising at least two tournaments in 2020 for the riverine teams and several similar matches on the coastland, once re-elected.

Meanwhile, the three active clubs in the area – Ebini, Sandhills and Wiruni met on Thursday, October 31 and held long-overdue elections for the Berbice River Cricket Association. The elections were held at Wiruni and were well attended by members of the clubs. Businessman Samuel Seegolam was elected President; Cliff Lindie – Vice President, Curtis Moore – Secretary, Ulrick Joseph – Treasurer and Shamar Lindie – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.

The committee members elected were Leton Grimmon, Garfield Leacock, Deon Da Silva, and Johnny Sinclair. BRCA President Seegolam stated that his elected executives were committed to working along with the BCB, so that cricket in the sub-association could be developed. He praised Foster’s leadership of Berbice cricket and noted that players from his area were finally getting the recognition they deserve. Foster urged the executives of the BRCA to commit themselves to the development of the game, to always strive for excellence and to be the best role models they could be.

T

he2019 Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana/Trophy Stall Inter-Jamaat 10-Over Softball Cricket Competition continued last Sunday, November 24 at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

In the first game between LBI A Masjid and Hague Masjid, the latter won the toss and decided to take first strike. Hague Masjid made a challenging 122 for the loss of six wickets. Openers Ajay Kishan and Aftab Hussain were the main contributors scoring 50 runs (6x6) and 29 runs (3x6,2x4) respectively. Bowling for the LBI A Masjid was Javid Campbell, who took three wickets, and was supported by Akram Bacchus, Sheik Riyad and Riaz Ali with one wicket each. LBI A Masjid in their turn at the crease were in the hunt for the runs, but eventually fell short by 12 making 111 for the loss of three wickets. Campbell and Saied Khan made 24 and 26 runs respectively. Kishan Ramsaywack picked up two wickets and Imran Khan picked up one for Hague Masjid.

In the second game between Tuschen Train Station Masjid and Leonora Masjid, Leonora Masjid won the toss and elected to bat posting a massive total of 132 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 10 overs. Taariq made 32 not out (3x6, 2x4); Z Hassan, 19 (2x6) and Kishan Ramsaywack, 17 (1x6, 1x4). Harry Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 20. The total proved to be very tricky for Tuschen Train Station Masjid as wickets kept tumbling. Their innings ended at 102 for the loss of seven wickets when their overs expired. Mohamed Umar made 26 runs (4x6); Manuel Oveido made 16 runs (1x6, 1x4) and Timothy Persaud 13 (1x6). Bowling for Leonora Masjid was Ajay Khan, who was the main destroyer with four wickets for 16 runs.

The third match between Tuschen Train Station Masjid and Hague Masjid saw Hague Masjid winning the toss and batting first.

They were able to score 106 for the loss of six wickets. Openers Kishan Ramsaywack and Aftab Hussain made 47 runs (5x6, 1x4) and 14 runs (2x6) respectively. Bowling for Tuschen Train Station Masjid was Shankar Persaud, who picked up 2 wickets. Tuschen Train Station Masjid were looking to overcome their total, but fell short in end by 13 runs, making 93 for the loss of two wickets.

Opener Timothy Persaud made 44 runs; Mohamed Umar, 21 and Nazim Azeez, 19 runs. Aftab Hussain and Kishan Ramsaywack picked up one wicket each for Hague Masjid.

The final game featured Cornelia Ida Masjid and LBI B Masjid.

LBI B Masjid won the toss and invited Cornelia Ida Masjid to take first strike. Cornelia Ida Masjid made 127 runs for the loss of nine wickets. At the halfway mark of Cornelia Ida Masjid’s innings, they were 77 runs for the loss of one wicket. Feroze Rahaman made 27 runs and Budram, 19 runs. Bowling for LBI B Masjid were Imran Nasir and Pooran Deokarran, picking up two wickets each. LBI B Masjid in their turn at the crease were looking very good to knock off the required runs, but fell short by two runs. Middleorder batsman Carl Spencer and Captain Sarfaz Ally made 50 runs (5x6, 2x4) and 46 runs (5x6, 1x4) respectively. It all went down to 13 runs required from the last over, but Cornelia Ida Masjid held their nerve one more time in this competition and bowled well enough to restrict the LBI B Masjid from making the ruins. Ralph Yusar picked up three wickets for 18 runs and was supported by Naieem Khalil with two wickets for 16 runs.

The competition continues this Sunday, December 1 at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands with four matches starting at 09:00h.

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thursday, november 28, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Colonial Medical Insurance Regional

Cup...

Red Force aiming for home glory, regional challengers aiming to spoil party

T

he 2019 Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup semi-finals are set up to be a battle of traditional Caribbean powerhouses against impressive underdogs, live on ESPN Caribbean today and Friday from 1:30 pm ECT/12:30 pm Jamaica Time at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Today, Thursday, November 28, Zone A table-toppers Barbados Pride, six-time competition winners since 1972/73, lock horns with Zone B runners-up West Indies Emerging Players, who only secured their semi-final spot after last year’s finalists Guyana Jaguars, lost their final crucial group game to

the United States of America.

O n Friday, 11time champions and Zone B winners Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Kieran will face off Powell against in-form four-time winners Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who overcame a late challenge from Jamaica Scorpions to seal their semi-final berth. Tickets for the semi-finals are priced at just US$15/ TT$100.

For the final on Sunday, December 1, tickets are just US$18/TT$125 for the Region's premier 50-over tournament. Tickets are available from the Queen’s Park Cricket Club box office on match days. Fans can purchase their tickets in ad-

vance via the CWI website, www.windiescricket.com, and make their online ticket purchases through the “Buy Tickets” button.

For the first semi-final, the West Indies Emerging Players are being led expertly by former West Indies interim coach Floyd Reifer, while their leading run scorer Justin Greaves (282 runs at 40.28) and wicket-taker Keon Harding (16 wickets at 17.06) have been key players to date. Barbados have had a solid all-round team effort with three batsmen – Captain Jonathan Carter, Kjorn Ottley, and Kyle Mayers – averaging 45 plus and four bowlers in Ashley Nurse, Miguel Cummins, Chemar Holder and Roshon Primus with 10 wickets or more.

For the second semi-final, both the Red Force and the Hurricanes will be looking to their experienced West Indies players Darren Bravo and Kieran Powell respectively to pile up the runs.

The left-handed Powell,

Darren Bravo

the former Test opener, leads the Colonial Medical Keon Harding I n s u r a n c e S u p e r 5 0 run-scoring chart with 464 runs at an average of 66.28, while Bravo is close behind with 447 runs at a tournament leading average of 111.75.

Dominic Warne, CWI Director of Commercial, Marketing and Communications, said: “We're now at the sharp end of the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup and it's a chance to win regional glory, bragging rights and the Super50 trophy.

Fans have got a chance to watch some superb cricket and a great mix of experienced talent and the future stars of West Indies cricket tussle to see who will be crowned champions. We know that fans are set for a great finale to the competition." (CWI)

BACIF to produce one-of-a-kind Open Doors are windball trophy for GFF Super 16 Cup and futsal champions

C

asting and machining specialists Brass Aluminium and Cast Iron Foundry Ltd (BACIF) will be producing a historic trophy for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Super 16 Cup 2019/2020 edition.

The first of its kind trophy is expected to be a huge hit with the clubs as all and sundry would want their name to be inscribed as the inaugural winner of what will be a prestigious piece of silverware.

Recently, GFF President Wayne Forde, who has a long-standing relationship with the entity, met with Managing Director and one-time colleague Peter Pompey and was given an insight into the manufacturing process, which is underway at the West Ruimveldt-based foundry.

Speaking with GFF, Pompey stated that when he was approached to make such a contribution to the tournament and the sport, he could not in any way turn down the offer to be associated with the event.

He complimented the Federation for the vision to produce a local trophy that would truly represent the value of the sport.

“When Mr Forde approached me, I could not have said no. Wayne has a relationship with this company that goes back for many, many years and I am happy to see him coming and directing the frater-

GFF President Wayne Forde and BACIF Managing Director Peter Pompey examine the soon-to-be-completed Super 16 Cup trophy

nity and football in a way that you have never seen before. We believe that football in another few years would rise and … would be a substantial contributor not only to the social development of the country but to tourism in the context of where the sport can take our nation.

“So, we’re happy to be a part of this project and we believe that at the end of it all, the trophy will be a spectacle, it would be something that we all can be proud about,” BACIF’s Managing Director said.

In thanking Pompey and his company for their generous support to the GFF Super 16 Cup by way of the historic trophy, Forde said that the concept of the trophy is that the arches coming together signifies the unity that the GFF aspires for in the fraternity.

“The ball at the top is really putting football at the heart of everything that we do, so this trophy will be a lien trophy, a club would have to win it three times in

order to own it,” Forde said.

The trophy would be unveiled on completion at a special event, Forde noted.

“More importantly, what this trophy represents is the engineering and craftsmanship capacity of one of our indigenous local industries.

I think it is a unique story to have a local engineering company come on board and put together such a spectacular piece of art,” the GFF President said.

Forde added that there’s a lot of emphasis and discussion around local content at the moment in Guyana while positing that BACIF’s contribution demonstrates the capacity of a company whose specialty is in a completely different line of production.

BACIF has been part of the Guyanese industrial family for over 60 years and half of those years ago, President Forde’s engineering career commenced.

The GFF Super 16 Cup 2019/2020 edition is expected to launch in the near future.

The victorious Open Doors teams alongside NSC officials and teachers

O

pen Doors began their Special Schools Sports campaign on a high note as they copped both the windball and futsal titles on the first day of competition – Tuesday.

The fourth edition of the event began on Tuesday morning with the windball competition. Prior to the excitement, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones declared the event open, in the presence of more than 200 differently-abled students.

In the opening encounter of the day, Saint Barnabus met with eventual finalists David Rose in a six-over-a-side affair. Batting first, Saint Barnabus posted 46-1 with contributions from Dwayne Griffith (22) and Matthew Boyer (10). David Rose had no issue overhauling that total as J Goodman stood out with a quick-fire 12.

Open Doors had a walk in the park when they met Harold B Davis, as they were required to make 42 runs for the win.

2018 champions Diamond failed to reach their target of 50 when they battled Saint Barnabus. Saint Barnabus put up 49-3 with a stellar performance from I Dash. The defending champions could only reach 43-1 in their

six overs.

When it came to the final showdown between David Rose and Open Doors, the former opted to bat first after they won the toss. In the allotted six overs, Odeil Gibon smashed 27, Joshua Goodman 26 and Ramesh Harinarine pitched in with 10 to push David Rose to 73-1.

In reply, Open Doors comfortably raced to their target of 74, without the loss of a wicket to cop the championship.

In the seven-a-side futsal championship, it was a walk in the park for Open Doors as they brushed aside David Rose in the second final of the day, 2-0 to take another title.

Earlier in that competition, David Rose advanced to the final after they defeated Saint Barnabus 2-0. On the other hand, Open Doors copped a spot in the final following their stalemate with Saint Barnabus. After regulation time could not produce a winner, they went to the penalty mark where Open Doors prevailed 1-0.

The Special Schools Sports activities will conclude today with the athletics segment at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Ground, Eve Leary.

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thursday, november 28, 2019

Rahkeem Cornwall 7-for gives West Indies the edge on turning pitch R

a h k e e m C o r nwa l l picked up a careerbest 7 for 75 as Afghanistan squandered a sound start to be dismissed for 187 on the first day of the inaugural Test at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

In response, West Indies lost two early wickets before John Campbell and Shamarh Brooks took them to 68 for 2 at stumps, 119 behind Afghanistan's first-innings total. With the surface offering sufficient help to the spinners, run-scoring may become even more difficult as the game progresses.

On a turning track, the most difficult delivery to negotiate is the one that goes straight, and the newest entrants to Test cricket discovered it firsthand as Cornwall ran through them.

Three of his wickets came off balls that spun little, while one turned significantly less than what the batsman expected. Playing only in his second Test, Cornwall showed great control over line and length, especially during his first spell in which he sent down 21 overs either side of lunch.

Having been 84 for 1 at one stage, Afghanistan lost six wickets for 27 runs and slipped to 111 for 7. Wicketkeeperbatsman Afsar Zazai and debutant Amir Hamza added 54 for the eighth wicket before Cornwall struck again, dismissing Zazai off the last ball before tea. He then picked up the final wicket after the interval.

The collapse was triggered by Jomel Warrican, though.

Having added 56 for the second wicket with Ihsanullah, Javed Ahmadi holed out to long-off off the left-arm spinner.

After that, Cornwall was all over the opposition. In the last over before lunch, Ihsanullah tried to defend one from the offspinner, but the ball went on straight and Shai Hope pouched the edge at first slip.

After the break, Rahmat Shah fell to a sharp offbreak with Jason Holder taking his second catch at leg slip. Nasir Jamal, the other debutant, looked to work one on the leg side, but the ball went with the arm and Hope pouched it at first slip.

Lack of turn and extra bounce did it for Asghar Afghan, who edged a cut to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich to complete Cornwall's maiden five-for.

Holder got rid of Rashid Khan from the other end before Zazai and Hamza staged their brief recovery. The West Indies Captain

once again turned to Cornwall for the breakthrough and the off-spinner didn't disappoint. Zazai shouldered arms to one he expected to spin down the leg side only to be trapped in front of the stumps for 32.

Hamza and Yamin Ahmadzai added 22 for the ninth wicket before the last two wickets fell on the same score. Afghanistan's innings ended 30 minutes into the final session, and lasted 68.3 overs in all.

Earlier, it had seemed like a mistake from Holder when he opted to bowl, citing moisture in the pitch, on a hazy morning in Lucknow. While a couple of deliveries did seam and bounce –especially from the captain himself – there was hardly any venom in them to trouble the Afghanistan openers.

Having scored 21 and 87 on his Test debut against Bangladesh, Ibrahim Zadran once again showed the temperament of a proper Test opener.

He was decisive in his footwork, whether defending on the front foot or back, or even while leaving balls outside off. And when the West Indies seamers pitched the ball up in search of movement, he drove them through the covers.

With West Indies playing just two seamers, Holder was forced to bring Cornwall on as early as the ninth over, and the off-spinner found turn straightaway with the red Kookaburra. In his second over, he got Javed Ahmadi to inside-edge one, but the ball hit the pad on its way and went past wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich.

He wasn't to be denied for long, though.

Ibrahim tried to sweep a sharp offbreak hard and was caught at leg slip, with Holder diving one-handed to his left. The batsman didn't look happy with the decision and it wasn't conclusive from replays either if there was any bat or glove involved.

Ahmadi and Ihsanullah then took on Warrican, hitting mostly

SCOREBOARD Afghanistan 1st Innings Ibrahim Zadran c Holder b Cornwall 17 Javed Ahmadi c Brooks b Warrican 39 Ihsanullah c Hope b Cornwall 24 Rahmat Shah c Holder b Cornwall 4 Asghar Afghan c †Dowrich b Cornwall 4 Nasir Jamal c Hope b Cornwall 2 Afsar Zazai † lbw b Cornwall 32 Rashid Khan (c) c Cornwall b Holder 1 Amir Hamza c †Dowrich b Holder 34 Yamin Ahmadzai c Warrican b Cornwall 18 Zahir Khan not out 0 Extras 12 (b 7, lb 5) TOTAL 187 all out (68.3 Overs, RR: 2.72) Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Ibrahim Zadran, 12.2 ov), 2-84 (Javed Ahmadi, 27.6 ov), 3-90 (Ihsanullah, 30.4 ov), 4-91 (Rahmat Shah, 32.1 ov), 5-95 (Nasir Jamal, 34.6 ov), 6-98 (Asghar Afghan, 36.6 ov), 7-111 (Rashid Khan, 41.6 ov), 8-165 (Afsar Zazai, 60.6 ov), 9-187 (Amir Hamza, 67.3 ov), 10-187

(Yamin Ahmadzai, 68.3 ov) BOWLING KAJ Roach JO Holder RRS Cornwall JA Warrican RL Chase

O 8 17 25.3 13 5

M 1 10 5 1 0

R W 33 0 22 2 75 7 35 1 10 0

West Indies 1st Innings KC Brathwaite lbw b Amir Hamza 11 JD Campbell not out 30 SD Hope c Ihsanullah b Rashid Khan 7 SSJ Brooks not out 19 Extras 1 (nb 1) TOTAL 68/2 (22 Overs, RR: 3.09) Yet to bat: RL Chase, SO Hetmyer, JO Holder (c), SO Dowrich †, RRS Cornwall, KAJ Roach, JA Warrican Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 8.5 ov), 2-34 (Shai Hope, 11.1 ov) BOWLING Y Ahmadzai Amir Hamza Rashid Khan Zahir Khan

O 4 8 8 2

M 1 1 2 0

R 9 25 24 10

W 0 1 1 0

down the ground and towards midwicket. The two added 56 for the second wicket, a partnership that included Ahmadi lofting Cornwall for six and four off successive deliveries. In between, Ahmadi offered another chance off Cornwall, gloving one down the leg side, but Dowrich couldn't reach it in time.

The lofted shot that brought Ahmadi most of his runs also led to his dismissal, and proved to be the turning point of the day. (ESPNcricinfo)

Inconsistent batting, strike bowling effect failed Jaguars in Super50

W

ith the exception of Christopher Barnwell and Jonathan Foo, the Guyana Jaguars batsmen lacked consistency throughout a disappointing Regional Super50 campaign. Jaguars failed to qualify for the semifinals, ending their ordinary campaign with a loss against the United States of America (USA). In their eight matches played in the Super50 Cup, Jaguars recorded four wins and suffered four defeats, ending Group B in third position with 16 points.

Batting to the test Barnwell batted with maturity in this Super50 Cup, leading the Jaguars batting chart with 351 runs at a solid average of 43.87. The 32-yearold right-handed batsman, who has gotten better with age, recorded three half-centuries this season including a high-score of 89.

His 2019 Super50 season was followed by him scoring 282

runs in the 2018 Super50 Cup. Meanwhile, Foo has had a fruitful season with the bat on his second homecoming to Jaguars colours. The Albionbound batsman scored 334 runs in eight matches at a staggering average of 55.66 and a stunning strike rate of 113.2, which

is only second to Rovman Powell’s 161 (minimum 150 runs). It was a difficult road for Foo, who was batting in the lower-middle order, but he grabbed his opportunity on most occasions.

The 29-year-old Foo had scores of 28, 36, 39, 17*, 67, 09, 97* and 41 in a brilliant season.

Foo and Barnwell were batting on Planet Consistent, but the other batsmen shone once in a while.

Chandrapaul Hemraj, the only centurion f o r

Jaguars, had an ordinary season, despite that century against Windward Islands Volcanoes. The left-hander, who opted out of the T10 League to play this Super50, ended the season with 202 runs, averaging 25.25 at a strike rate of 68.47.

It seemed the Tagenarine Chanderpaul effect rubbed off on Hemraj, who ended the season with a par strike rate. The young Tiger ended the season with 139 runs in five

matches.

Raymon Reifer, who was the leading runscorer for Jaguars in the 2018 Super50, ended this season with 172 runs in seven innings. Skipper Leon Johnson had 147 runs, averaging 18.37; Anthony Bramble played only five matches and scored 61 runs while Kemol Savory’s five matches saw him score 85 runs.

Strike bowler effect missing Reflecting the 2018 Super50 Cup, Jaguars blew away teams; Clinton Pestano had 15 wickets in his dream year. In contrast, he only grabbed two wickets in four matches this season.

Veerasammy Permaul’s 11 wickets this season was the most for the Jaguars while Ramaal Lewis and Reifer had 10 wickets each.

Placing the work rates under the microscope, only Reifer’s economy rate of 30 runs per wicket was one of substance.

He was the only Jaguars bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul this season in a group that featured the USA and West Indies Emerging Players. In contrast in the 2018 Super50 Cup, Pestano’s economy rate with the ball of 25.6 was stunning.

He picked up a hat-trick during that season.

The lack of the strike bowling effect saw Jaguars play eight matches without picking up 10 wickets in a single encounter. Newbie Nial Smith only played two matches in his Super50 campaign, but was expensive; he yielded 97 runs in 16 overs across both games and only picked up one wicket. Ronsford Beaton, who was once again suspended for an illegal bowling action, had picked up seven wickets in the six matches he played.

thursday, november 28, 2019

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

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Inconsistent batting, strike bowling effect failed Jaguars Rahkeem Cornwall 7-for in Super50 gives West Indies the edge on turning pitch Page 19

Sponsors pledge continued support for DMW Hockey Festival ExxonMobil’s Nicholas Yearwood, ANSA McAL’s Treiston Joseph, GHB President Phillip Fernandes and DDL’s Larry Wills were present at the head table along with other GHB representatives

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